U.S. soldiers and civilians observe a MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) system during a static-display demonstration August 15, 2019, at Katterbach Army Airfield in Ansbach, Germany. File Photo by Charles Rosemond/U.S. Army
Aug. 9 (Asia Today) -- Heavy U.S. use of Patriot and other advanced missile interceptors in the war with Iran has sharply reduced American stockpiles, raising concerns about air-defense readiness in South Korea and elsewhere in Northeast Asia.
Recent U.S. reports and defense analyses estimate that the American inventory of Patriot interceptors has fallen by roughly 65% since the Iran war began. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated in late July that the United States had fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptors remaining and about 250 interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.
Other estimates based on prewar inventories and reported expenditures have placed the remaining Patriot stockpile at fewer than 827 interceptors and the THAAD inventory at fewer than 278.
Exact U.S. military stockpile figures are classified and the estimates have not been confirmed by the Pentagon.
