America Used Nearly Half Its Missile Interceptors in Israel-Iran Conflict: Report

The United States has depleted a significant portion of its advanced missile defence interceptor inventory after taking on a larger share of Israel's air defence burden during the recent conflict with Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post.

US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the imbalance has raised concerns about the United States' readiness to meet its security commitments around the world, according to the American newspaper's report.

More than 200 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors were launched by the United States to defend Israel, along with more than 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors fired from naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean, depleting nearly half of the Pentagon's inventory, US officials told the American daily.

The officials, like others quoted in the report, spoke on condition of anonymity.

Israel, meanwhile, fired fewer than 100 of its Arrow interceptors and around 90 David's Sling interceptors, some of which were used against less sophisticated projectiles fired by Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon.

Military analysts told The Washington Post that the data gives a rare peek into the scale of the US-Israel defence partnership.

"The numbers are striking. The United States absorbed most of the missile defense mission while Israel conserved its own magazines. Even if the operational logic was sound, the United States is left with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors and a production line that can't keep pace with demand," Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center told The Washington Post.

US allies such as Japan and South Korea are concerned over the shortage of interceptors, as both countries rely on the US security umbrella to deter threats from China and North Korea, the WaPo report added.

"In total, the US shot around 120 more interceptors and engaged twice as many Iranian missiles," another US official told The Washington Post, suggesting that the reality of the military burden was very different from the razzmatazz surrounding the depiction of the US-Israel partnership.

The newspaper also reported that Israel's military is expected to take some of its missile defence batteries offline for maintenance.

Officials warned that if US President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations against Iran, pressure on US interceptor inventories could increase further.

"The imbalance will likely be exacerbated if fighting restarts," the report citing the US official said.

The Pentagon defended the balance of military resources used between Israel and the US.

"Ballistic missile interceptors are just one tool in a vast network of systems and capabilities that comprise a layered and integrated air defense network," said Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman.

"Both Israel and the United States carried the defensive burden equitably during Operation Epic Fury, which saw both countries employ fighter aircraft, counter-UAS systems, and various other advanced air and missile defense capabilities with maximal effectiveness," Parnell added.

(With inputs from ANI)