US Army Raises Alarm Over THAAD Stockpile After Firing More Than 150 Interceptors During Iran Conflict.

On July 24, 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that during the intense 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025, the U.S. Army reportedly launched more than 150 THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile interceptors to support Israel’s air and missile defense efforts. This exceptional deployment represents nearly a quarter of all THAAD interceptors funded by the United States to date, according to Pentagon budget documents, and raises serious concerns regarding the sustainability of current stockpiles, available industrial capacity, and future readiness.
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A U.S. Army THAAD launcher deployed in Israel during a 2019 military exercise (Picture source: USAF)

These figures offer a rare insight into the scale and intensity of U.S. missile defense operations in the Middle East. According to unnamed U.S. officials cited in the article, the THAAD interceptors were used in coordination with Israeli systems to counter waves of Iranian ballistic missiles. At the time, the U.S. Army had seven operational THAAD batteries, two of which were reportedly deployed in Israel. During the hostilities, Lockheed Martin announced the delivery of a "Minimum Engagement Package" for an eighth battery, an expansion that had been long planned.

The THAAD system is a mobile missile defense solution designed to intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles during their terminal flight phase, both inside and outside the atmosphere. Equipped with a 6.17-meter solid-fueled missile weighing 900 kilograms, THAAD is capable of intercepting threats at altitudes of up to 150 kilometers and ranges of up to 200 kilometers. The missile uses hit-to-kill technology guided by an indium antimonide infrared seeker to destroy warheads through kinetic impact. A typical THAAD battery consists of 6 to 9 mobile launchers (each holding eight missiles), an AN/TPY-2 X-band surveillance radar with a detection range of up to 1,000 kilometers, and a TFCC command post coordinating the system’s components and fire missions.

Developed by the United States and operated by the U.S. Army, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, THAAD is fully interoperable with other systems within the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), such as Aegis and Patriot PAC-3. Its dual capability for exo- and endo-atmospheric interception, mobility, and compatibility with other assets make it a central asset for ballistic missile defense. Its effectiveness against conventional and weapons-of-mass-destruction threats, combined with high firepower and resilience against saturation attacks, has established it as a key component of modern air defense architecture.

To date, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), which manages the THAAD program, has secured funding for 646 interceptors, although not yet been delivered. Some have been used for testing and training, and upcoming acquisitions remain limited: the FY2026 budget request includes only 25 new interceptors, each priced at approximately $15.5 million. Even considering emergency procurement measures such as the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, resupply projections fall well short of the consumption rate observed in June. The Pentagon may require up to four years to replace the missiles fired, with production timelines further widening the gap between orders and deliveries. For instance, the MDA expects to receive its 13th lot of THAAD interceptors in early 2027, five years after the contract award.

The sudden depletion of THAAD stockpiles even led the Pentagon to consider reallocating missiles originally destined for Saudi Arabia to Israel, a scenario that proved diplomatically sensitive. Riyadh had just inaugurated its first THAAD battery under a contract signed in 2017, valued at over $15 billion. The system is also in service with the United Arab Emirates, which became the first country to use it operationally in 2022 when intercepting a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen.

The industrial limitations of the THAAD program are central to the issue. Lockheed Martin has stated it is in discussions with the U.S. government to increase production capacity to 100 missiles per year, but such a ramp-up would take several years to implement.

The accelerated depletion of high-end munitions such as THAAD and SM-3 interceptors during a regional conflict raises broader concerns about the United States' ability to sustain prolonged high-intensity engagements. This concern is compounded by continued support to Ukraine and growing apprehension over a potential confrontation with China, where missile defense needs would be substantially higher. While resupply plans and industrial expansion are under consideration, structural delays between budget decisions, production cycles, and delivery schedules expose significant short- and medium-term vulnerabilities in the U.S. strategic posture.

The launch of over 150 THAAD interceptors in June underscores a critical strain on U.S. missile defense capabilities. At approximately $15.5 million per unit, the existing stockpile could be exhausted in just a few weeks of high-intensity conflict. The current production rate is inadequate to meet such demand, and despite plans to increase annual output to 100 units, it will take years to reach that target. This situation highlights the urgent need for the United States to accelerate the industrialization of key munitions in order to restore strategic depth and operational flexibility.