The Trump administration has strongly contested a report indicating that the United States has depleted nearly all of its stocks of two primary long-range precision missiles during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The White House maintains that the U.S. military possesses more than sufficient munitions to meet its global operational needs.
A Reuters report, citing individuals familiar with internal U.S. military data, stated that the Army has used "virtually all" of its inventory of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) over the past five months. This drawdown has raised concerns among officials about the military's capacity to respond to future crises involving adversaries like China and Russia.
President Donald Trump issued a statement asserting that the U.S. possesses "far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need." He criticized the current administration's handling of stockpiles, claiming an "unprecedented amount was given away" to Ukraine and Europe. Trump also highlighted that U.S. defense companies are increasing production to record levels, with plans to expand manufacturing capacity.
The Pentagon also refuted the report's findings. Chief spokesman Sean Parnell stated, "America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and the President’s choosing." He added that the U.S. military has conducted multiple successful operations while ensuring a deep arsenal for protecting national interests.
Independent analysts have also voiced concerns about the strain on U.S. high-end munitions inventories due to prolonged combat. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the U.S. may have expended approximately 65% of its Patriot interceptor stockpile and at least 38% of its THAAD interceptor inventory since the Iran conflict began. The Reuters report suggested that its sources' data broadly aligns with these assessments.
ATACMS and PrSM are considered critical Army assets for striking targets hundreds of miles away, including command posts and air defense systems, from beyond enemy reach. Patriot and THAAD systems are designed for missile defense, intercepting incoming threats, while Tomahawk cruise missiles are used by the Navy for long-range strikes from naval platforms.
The report emerges as Pentagon leaders increasingly highlight the challenge of sustaining high-intensity conflicts and replenishing advanced weapons. This concern has accelerated efforts to integrate lower-cost drones and autonomous systems with expensive precision missiles, allowing for the reservation of high-value munitions for critical targets.
Trump has engaged with defense contractors to expedite production and expand manufacturing. Following meetings, he indicated that companies agreed to significantly increase production of advanced missile systems. His proposed defense budget includes substantial increases for drones, munitions production, and missile defense procurement.
