Media: US nearly exhausted ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles in war with Iran

The US Army has expended almost all available stocks of long-range ATACMS and PrSM missiles during five months of war with Iran. This has raised concerns about US readiness for potential conflicts in other regions.

This was reported on Tuesday, August 4, by Reuters, citing three sources familiar with internal US military data.

Two agency interlocutors said that the United States had used "virtually all" available ground-based ATACMS and Precision Strike Missile munitions. The exact number of remaining munitions is not disclosed, as information on military stockpiles is classified.

According to another source, the US Central Command nearly exhausted the missile stockpile it had at the beginning of the war. After that, munitions began to be transferred from other American arsenals around the world.

ATACMS are designed for high-precision strikes against command posts, air defense systems, warehouses, logistics facilities, and other important targets. The newer PrSM are gradually expected to replace ATACMS and have an increased range.

The US military actively used these missiles against Iranian targets to strike targets from a long distance and avoid sending aircraft into air defense zones. However, the intensive use of munitions has intensified the debate within the US administration about the ability to continue the war without compromising other military plans.

In addition, since the start of the conflict, the United States may have expended slightly less than half of the global stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles. Reuters was unable to independently verify this assessment.

Missile defense stocks have also shrunk. According to a Center for Strategic and International Studies estimate, from February to July the United States used about 65% of available Patriot interceptors, and the number of missiles for THAAD systems decreased by at least 38%. Reuters sources said that these calculations generally align with internal government data.

The White House rejected the suggestion that the United States is short of weapons. President Donald Trump said that American companies are producing a record number of munitions and expanding facilities.

The Pentagon also asserts that the decrease in stocks has not affected the army’s combat readiness. Agency spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the armed forces have everything necessary to accomplish their tasks and maintain a significant arsenal to defend the United States and its interests.

The United States has previously transferred ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. However, the Reuters report does not say that the reduction in US stocks has already led to a halt or limitation of further military aid to Kyiv.

The US Army plans to ramp up purchases of PrSM, and the Tomahawk manufacturer is in talks with the Pentagon on a multiyear contract that should allow an increase in missile production and restoration of expended stockpiles.