U.S. bears brunt of Israel's missile defense, Pentagon assessments show

The U.S. military depleted much of its advanced missile-defense interceptor inventory after using far more high-end munitions defending Israel during hostilities involving Iran. U.S. officials reported that the United States launched more than 200 THAAD interceptors, about half of its total inventory, and fired more than 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors from naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean. Israel fired fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors, including some used against less sophisticated projectiles from Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon. Analysts said the figures show the United States absorbed most of the missile-defense burden while Israel conserved its own magazines, leaving the U.S. with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors and production unable to meet demand. Allies in Asia, including Japan and South Korea, were alarmed because they rely on U.S. deterrence.

"The United States launched more than 200 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, interceptors in defense of Israel - roughly half of the Pentagon's total inventory - along with more than 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors fired from naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean, said the U.S. officials, who, like others in this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security matters. By contrast, Israel fired fewer than 100 of its Arrow interceptors and around 90 David's Sling interceptors, some of which were used against less sophisticated projectiles fired by Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon."

"The imbalance, according to three U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security matters, underscores the extent to which Washington has shouldered the burden of countering Iranian ballistic missile strikes during Operation Epic Fury, and raises questions about U.S. military readiness and security commitments around the world. The U.S. military has depleted much of its inventory of advanced missile-defense interceptors after expending far more high-end munitions defending Israel amid hostilities with Iran than Israeli forces used themselves, according to Defense Department assessments described to The Washington Post."

""The numbers are striking," said Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center. "The United States absorbed most of the missile defense mission while Israel conserved its own magazines. Even if the operational logic was sound, the United States is left with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors and a production line that can't keep pace with demand.""

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