US Rebuilds Patriot Stockpiles, Delaying Allied Orders as Only 36% of Pre-Iran Inventory Remains
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 8
US Rebuilds Patriot Stockpiles, Delaying Allied Orders as Only 36% of Pre-Iran Inventory Remains
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 8
Summary
Patriot deliveries to some allies are already slipping as Washington prioritizes refilling depleted U.S. arsenals strained by Ukraine aid and recent Middle East fighting.
CSIS estimates the U.S. had about 2,300 Patriot missiles before the Iran conflict, but only 36% of that prewar interceptor inventory now remains despite production having been expanded.
The squeeze is spreading beyond Patriots: Japan’s 400 Tomahawk order has been pushed back, while new Dutch orders could also face delays; THAAD deliveries to Saudi Arabia are still due by April 2028.
Other key munitions are tighter still, with just 10%-22% of pre-Iran conflict Precision Strike Missile inventory left, underscoring pressure on a defense industrial base serving nearly 100 countries.
Lawmakers and analysts say the backlog is becoming a diplomatic problem because slower deliveries weaken allies such as Japan, Taiwan, Israel and Ukraine even as threats from China, Russia and Iran intensify.