The U.S. Army has depleted nearly all of its ATACMS and PrSM long-range precision missile stockpile during its five-month conflict with Iran, raising serious concerns about future military readiness and deterrence capabilities.
Key Missile Stockpile Depletion
The U.S. Army has used up nearly all of its long-range precision missile stockpile during its five-month conflict with Iran, according to multiple anonymous sources cited in recent reports. The depletion primarily involves Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), both of which are surface-to-surface weapons designed for accurate strikes from extended distances.
Two anonymous sources told Reuters that the military had used ‘virtually all’ of these munitions, though they declined to specify exact remaining quantities. A fourth source noted that while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees Middle East operations, had nearly exhausted its pre-war land-based missile reserves, it has replenished supplies by drawing from global U.S. military stockpiles.
Cost and Capabilities of Missiles
The ATACMS, which cost over $1 million each, have been a critical component of U.S. military operations, including their deployment in Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia. The PrSM, a newer and more advanced system, is intended to replace ATACMS but has a shorter range.
Strategic Implications for Deterrence
Analysts warn that the depletion of these missiles could limit the U.S. military’s ability to deter adversaries, including Russia and China, in future conflicts. President Donald Trump launched the joint U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran in February, initially predicting a short-duration conflict. However, as the war has persisted, concerns have grown over the reduced missile reserves and their potential impact on broader military readiness.
The White House has not yet issued a formal response to the reported depletion.
Key Developments and Implications
The rapid depletion of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles marks a significant shift in U.S. military operations, raising questions about long-term strategic preparedness. The ATACMS, in particular, have played a pivotal role in recent conflicts, including their use by Ukrainian forces to target Russian infrastructure. The PrSM, while newer, is designed to enhance precision and range capabilities but has not yet fully replaced the older ATACMS systems.
Military analysts highlight that the loss of these long-range precision missiles could force the U.S. to rely more heavily on riskier piloted bombing missions if large-scale strikes on Iran resume. The cost of each missile—exceeding $1 million—further underscores the financial and logistical strain of prolonged military engagements.
Military Readiness and Strategic Concerns
The depletion of missile stockpiles has sparked debate over the U.S. military’s ability to respond to multiple simultaneous threats. CENTCOM’s ability to replenish its reserves from global stockpiles suggests some flexibility, but the broader concern remains whether these reserves can be sustained in prolonged conflicts.
The ATACMS and PrSM systems are particularly valuable in scenarios where advanced air-defense systems, such as those employed by China, could make conventional air strikes more challenging. The Ukrainian conflict has demonstrated the strategic importance of these missiles, as they enable precise strikes without exposing aircraft to enemy fire.
Background: The Iran Conflict and U.S. Objectives
The U.S.-Israel joint campaign against Iran began in February, with President Trump initially forecasting a swift resolution. However, the conflict has persisted for five months, prompting concerns about mission creep and resource allocation. The depletion of missile stockpiles adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing campaign, as the U.S. grapples with balancing immediate operational needs against long-term deterrence strategies.
The ATACMS and PrSM systems were designed to provide the U.S. military with precision-strike capabilities while minimizing risks to personnel. Their extensive use in Iran reflects the high operational tempo of the conflict and the strategic importance placed on these munitions.
What’s Next?
The White House has not yet commented on the reported depletion, leaving unanswered questions about future resupply efforts and military strategy adjustments. Analysts suggest that the U.S. may need to accelerate production of PrSM systems or explore alternative munitions to mitigate the impact of dwindling ATACMS stockpiles.
The situation also raises broader questions about U.S. military readiness in an era of competing global threats, including potential conflicts with China, Russia, and regional adversaries. The depletion of long-range precision missiles serves as a stark reminder of the finite nature of military resources and the challenges of sustaining prolonged conflicts.
Additional Context: Global Military Stockpiles and Supply Chains
While CENTCOM has managed to replenish some missile supplies from global stockpiles, the long-term sustainability of this approach remains uncertain. The U.S. military’s ability to rapidly produce and distribute munitions will be critical in determining its capacity to respond to future crises.
The ATACMS and PrSM systems are part of a broader precision-strike arsenal that includes cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and guided bombs. The depletion of these systems highlights the vulnerabilities in the U.S. military’s supply chain and the potential gaps in its strategic deterrence posture.
Expert Perspectives on the Depletion
Military analysts have offered varying assessments of the strategic implications of the missile depletion. Some argue that the U.S. military’s ability to adapt—through rapid resupply or alternative strike methods—will determine its future effectiveness. Others warn that the loss of long-range precision missiles could undermine deterrence efforts against adversaries like China and Russia, particularly in scenarios where air superiority is contested.
The PrSM’s role as a successor to ATACMS has also come under scrutiny, with questions raised about whether its production and deployment timelines align with the U.S. military’s immediate needs.
Conclusion
The reported depletion of U.S. long-range precision missile stockpiles during the Iran conflict underscores the complex challenges facing the U.S. military in an era of prolonged engagements and shifting global threats. While CENTCOM’s ability to replenish reserves provides some reassurance, the broader implications for military readiness and deterrence remain a subject of intense debate among analysts and policymakers.