IBNS-CMEDIA: The United States has fired more than 850 Tomahawk missiles over the past four weeks in its ongoing conflict with Iran, raising concerns within the Pentagon about dwindling stockpiles, The Washington Post reported.
According to the report, only a few hundred of these long-range cruise missiles are produced annually, while each unit costs approximately $3.6 million and can take up to two years to manufacture.
Last year’s defence budget reportedly accounted for just 57 missiles.
Officials cited in the report warned that the number of Tomahawks deployed in the Middle East is now “alarmingly low,” with some cautioning that supplies in the region could soon be depleted without intervention.
Discussions are underway among US defence officials about whether to divert missiles from other global stockpiles or ramp up production to meet operational demands.
However, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed concerns, asserting that the US military “has everything it needs” to execute missions as directed by the President.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also downplayed the issue, stating that the US possesses sufficient munitions to achieve the objectives of Operation Epic Fury and beyond.
Despite public reassurances, senior defence leadership has reportedly urged contractors to accelerate the production and delivery of critical weapons systems.
Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the heavy usage of Tomahawks could create a “large gap” in preparedness for other potential conflicts, particularly in the Western Pacific.
His analysis suggests the US Navy may have started the conflict with roughly 3,100 such missiles, and replenishing them could take several years.
First used during the Gulf War, Tomahawk missiles remain a cornerstone of US military strategy.
With a range exceeding 1,000 miles, they can be launched from naval ships and submarines, allowing precision strikes without exposing pilots to heavily defended airspace.Defence
