Iran War Depletes US Ammunition Stockpiles

The United States is facing an ammunition shortage as a result of the conflict with Iran, the Department of Defense’s inspector general has confirmed. His report contradicts Donald Trump’s claims of “virtually unlimited” supplies.

Operation Epic Fury cost an estimated $33.4bn from 28 February to 30 June, with $22.3bn of that amount attributed to ammunition used. This massive consumption caused a strategic shortage of supplies and exposed the defense industry’s problems with replenishing them. The Pentagon aims to accelerate procurement and production and stockpile critical materials, components and select types of ammunition, but expanding production capacity will take time.

The situation may cause concern for Ukraine and Taiwan, which rely on US arms supplies. CNN previously reported that the US military had used up nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptor stockpile.

The report lists four destroyed F-15 fighter jets and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, one damaged F-35 and seven KC-135 refueling aircraft. Iranian attacks also struck hundreds of buildings and other structures at US bases in eight countries in the region, though the estimate does not include the cost of this damage.

By the end of June, seven US soldiers had been killed in combat, another seven in non-combat incidents and 417 had been wounded in combat. The United States and Israel began the war on 28 February. During the first 24 hours, Washington struck more than a thousand targets.

(afp, bak)