CSIS Report Says U.S. Patriot Interceptor Stockpile Shrinks by About 65% Amid Ongoing Conflict with Iran
A Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis estimates that U.S. Patriot missile inventories have fallen roughly two-thirds since hostilities with Iran resumed, while THAAD stocks remain unchanged.
A new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates that the United States has lost about 65% of its Patriot air-defense interceptors since combat with Iran restarted on Feb. 28. The analysis, titled “Renewed Iran War Would Test Diminished Interceptor Inventories,” updates an earlier April 8 assessment and puts the remaining Patriot stock at roughly 759 missiles, down from a level that supported the pre-conflict inventory.
CSIS says the decline reflects the estimated rate at which the weapons have been used, according to a U.S. official quoted by ABC News. The United States manufactures about 183 Patriot interceptors annually, with a lead time of roughly three and a half years from contract award to delivery.
In contrast, the stock of THAAD interceptors, which have longer range and higher altitude capability, has held steady since the ceasefire, although it fell by about half during the initial Feb. 28-April 8 fighting period. Experts note that THAAD missiles are the most difficult to replace.
The think-tank’s findings draw on data from Gulf states and public congressional and Pentagon budget documents. The Pentagon is seeking $67 billion in supplemental funding, part of which would address munitions shortfalls. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have argued that the current inventory is insufficient, citing previous transfers of Patriot batteries to Ukraine.
“The United States has everything it needs to execute the president’s orders,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told ABC News.
Retired Marine Corps Colonel Steve Ganyard, an ABC News contributor, warned that the shortage “is a very serious situation” and may not be resolved quickly because production cycles for these missiles can take two to four years.
“We’ve been shooting so many Patriots, so many THAADs… the industrial base just can’t catch up and the magazines are going down,” Ganyard said.
Pacific Air Forces commander Gen. Kevin Schneider said the service is reviewing upcoming regional exercises to ensure resources are allocated to the most critical readiness priorities.
“We’ve done a pretty good job of identifying, amongst commanders, where we’re going to take risk or how we manage the risks as we prioritize efforts in the Central Command region right now,” he said.