EUCOM chief Grynkewich tells Pentagon missile defense resources strained. US used 45% of PrSM, half of THAAD and Patriot interceptors in Iran conflict, CSIS analysis shows.
Alpha Score of 40 reflects weak overall profile with weak momentum, poor value, moderate quality, weak sentiment.
A top US military commander in Europe warned the Pentagon this week that Washington may soon face difficult choices over missile defense resources because the conflict with Iran continues to strain American military stockpiles, according to The Washington Post.
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of US European Command, told Pentagon officials the United States does not have enough naval assets to keep intercepting Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel. Unless another Navy destroyer is assigned to the region, EUCOM would eventually have to choose between defending US interests and continuing missile defense operations for Israel, the Post reported.
The Pentagon declined to comment. EUCOM did not respond to requests for comment. An Israeli embassy spokesperson could not be reached, the Post said.
Concerns over dwindling missile inventories have surfaced before. Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump paused attacks on Iran partly because of the risk of depleting US air defense supplies in the Middle East. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised that expanding military operations could dangerously reduce interceptor missile inventories available to US Central Command.
An internal Pentagon assessment cited by CNN found the military has substantially depleted several categories of precision-guided missiles during the war with Iran, creating a "near-term risk" if another major conflict emerges. Replenishing many systems could take several years, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the assessment and defense experts.
According to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies cited by CNN, the US has consumed large portions of its advanced missile inventory during the past seven weeks of fighting. The analysis estimates the US has used about 45% of its Precision Strike Missile inventory, at least half of its THAAD interceptor missiles, around 50% of its Patriot interceptor missiles, roughly 30% of its Tomahawk cruise missile stockpile, more than 20% of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and approximately 20% of SM-3 and SM-6 interceptor missiles.
The Post reported that the US expended substantially more advanced interceptor missiles defending Israel against Iranian ballistic missile attacks than Israel itself during the conflict.
The New York Times, which first reported the Caine advice, carries an Alpha Score of 52, reflecting mixed sentiment.
The data lays out the logistical and strategic challenge facing Washington as it balances support for regional allies with maintaining sufficient missile inventories for future contingencies. The Pentagon has not disclosed its plans to address the shortfall.
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