Since the outbreak of war with Iran in late February, the United States has used a significant portion of its most critical missile and ammunition reserves. According to internal Pentagon estimates and congressional officials, the U.S. military has already deployed around 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles—primarily designed for a potential conflict with China. This figure is now close to the total number remaining in the U.S. arsenal.

At the same time, more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles have been launched—roughly ten times the number the U.S. currently purchases annually. The burden is equally heavy in missile defense: over 1,200 Patriot interceptors, costing more than $4 million each, have been used. Additionally, more than 1,000 Precision Strike and ATACMS missiles have been expended. As a result, critical ammunition stockpiles have dropped to levels causing serious concern.

The Middle East is “pulling” ammunition from Europe and Asia

The war carries not only economic but also strategic costs. The conflict has absorbed a large share of global U.S. ammunition reserves, forcing the Pentagon to urgently redirect bombs, missiles, and other military assets from Asia and Europe to the Middle East. These reductions have left regional commands less prepared to confront potential adversaries such as Russia and China. Meanwhile, Washington is scrambling to ramp up production to fill the gaps.

The issue runs deeper. The war has highlighted the Pentagon’s heavy reliance on extremely expensive missile systems—especially air defense interceptors—and revived a long-standing question: can the defense industry rapidly produce weapons at scale and lower cost, particularly offensive drones, in a high-intensity war?

13,000 targets — but at what cost?

The Department of Defense has not disclosed how much ammunition was used during the 38-day war before a ceasefire took effect two weeks ago. The Pentagon says it struck more than 13,000 targets, but officials note that this figure understates the real scale of consumption. In such wars, major targets are often hit multiple times, meaning the number of bombs and missiles used is far higher.

The White House has declined to provide an official cost estimate. However, two independent analyses place the cost between $28 billion and $35 billion—just under $1 billion per day. In the first two days alone, U.S. forces reportedly used $5.6 billion worth of munitions.

“It will take years to replenish”

Replenishing stockpiles will not be easy. To restore global reserves to previous levels, the U.S. will need to make difficult strategic decisions about where to maintain military strength in the meantime. Senator Jack Reed warned that, at current production rates, replacing what has been used could take years.

Analysts note that while the U.S. still has sufficient stock in some categories, certain critical land-attack and air-defense munitions were already limited before the war—and are now even more scarce.

The Donald Trump administration disputes this assessment. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the report’s premise is false, insisting the U.S. military remains fully equipped with more than enough weapons and ammunition globally.

Production: the weak point

The issue is not just how many weapons remain, but how quickly they can be replaced. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made boosting ammunition production a top priority, but progress remains slow. The Pentagon is still awaiting additional funding from Congress to pay defense contractors.

Earlier this year, the government announced seven-year agreements with major contractors such as Lockheed Martin to expand production capacity, including quadrupling output of precision munitions and THAAD interceptors. However, officials say little tangible progress has been made so far.

JASSM-ER and Tomahawk at the center of concern

Certain munitions are being depleted faster than others. Notably, about 1,100 JASSM-ER long-range stealth cruise missiles—each costing around $1.1 million—have been used, leaving roughly 1,500 in stock.

Tomahawk missiles, costing about $3.6 million each, remain a cornerstone of U.S. military planning. A study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates around 3,000 remain, warning that high usage rates could pose risks in other theaters, especially the Western Pacific.

The cost of Patriot systems and unexpected losses

Patriot interceptors, costing nearly $4 million each, are another critical category. The U.S. produced about 600 in all of 2025, yet has already used over 1,200 in this conflict.

Additional unexpected losses have also driven up costs. During a special operation by SEAL Team 6 in Iran, two MC-130 aircraft and at least three MH-6 helicopters were destroyed after landing gear failed on a makeshift runway. The loss is estimated at $275 million, with the aircraft destroyed to prevent sensitive technology from falling into Iranian hands.

Pressure on Europe — reduced NATO readiness

The strain extends beyond the Middle East. In Europe, reductions in key weapons systems are affecting the defense of NATO’s eastern flank against Russia. The loss of surveillance and attack drones is seen as particularly serious.

Military officials say the war has also disrupted training and exercises, weakening both offensive capabilities and deterrence.

The biggest impact in Asia

The most significant effects appear in Asia. Before the war, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was redeployed from the South China Sea to the Middle East. Since then, two Marine Expeditionary Units have also been sent from the Pacific.

The Pentagon has even moved advanced air-defense systems, including Patriot and THAAD interceptors, from South Korea—the only Asian ally hosting the system designed to counter North Korea’s missile threat.

The shadow of the Houthis and operational strain

The bombing campaign against the Houthis, known as “Rough Rider,” cost over $1 billion, with $200 million spent in just the first three weeks. U.S. ships, aircraft, and crews are now operating at extremely high tempo, making even routine maintenance a challenge.

Washington’s strategic dilemma

The war with Iran has exposed a difficult reality. The United States still possesses the world’s most powerful military—but even that power has limits when a high-intensity conflict requires daily consumption of expensive, hard-to-replace munitions.

The key question is not only how many missiles the U.S. can fire in a Middle Eastern war, but what that means for deterrence in Europe, its posture toward China in the Indo-Pacific, and its ability to manage multiple crises simultaneously.

This conflict is not just emptying stockpiles—it is testing the very model of American power: a military that can project force globally, but depends on an industrial base that may not be able to keep pace.