President Donald Trump has rejected reports that the United States faces a shortage of munitions, saying the country has substantial stocks and that further supplies are being produced and delivered as required.
In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump said his administration was pursuing people suspected of disclosing information about the arsenal. He described the alleged disclosures as treasonous and said authorities would seek long-term prison sentences for those responsible.
The comments come as the conflict with Iran enters its sixth month. The United States and Iran have continued to exchange strikes despite several pauses in fighting, while an agreement to end hostilities has not been reached.
Questions over missile inventories
Precise figures for US missile holdings are classified. However, CBS News, citing two unnamed sources with direct knowledge, reported that the US had used much of its worldwide supply of long-range precision missiles during the conflict.
The Washington Post also reported that Trump had raised concerns with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last week about a possible weapons shortfall, citing unnamed sources. The report has not been independently confirmed by the BBC.
Using public data, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles remaining by the end of July, compared with 2,330 before the conflict began. Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser at CSIS, said the US had also used about 60% of its terminal high altitude area defense, or THAAD, missiles.
Production and competing demand
Demand for US weapons extends beyond Iran. The United States has supplied Ukraine with significant numbers of Patriot missiles since Russia’s 2022 invasion, although Cancian expects the Pentagon to retain them as domestic inventories decline. Trump said on Friday that Ukraine’s request for more Patriot missiles would be a major step, but discussions were continuing.
Replacing modern munitions can take time because funding, ordering, manufacturing and delivery processes are lengthy. The administration has repeatedly maintained that stocks are sufficient, while also seeking to increase output. Hegseth called reports of a shortage a manufactured story in June and later asked the Senate for $87 billion in emergency funding to pay service members and rapidly replenish equipment and munitions.
Source: BBC News
