After Firing 1,000 $3.6 Million Missiles, U.S. Faces Critical Weapons Shortage

Concerns Raised Over Readiness in Asia and Europe
White House Asserts "Sufficient for All Military Operations"

Concerns have been raised that the United States' stockpile of advanced weaponry is rapidly depleting due to the war with Iran. As weapons reserves diminish, there are growing worries that the U.S. may lack the capability to confront potential adversaries in Asia and Europe.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on April 23 (local time) that since the U.S. military launched "Operation Grand Fury," it has used approximately 1,100 units of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), a long-range stealth cruise missile, and about 1,500 missiles remain in stock. Each JASSM-ER costs 1.1 million dollars (about 1.6 billion won), with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers. The JASSM-ER was developed by the U.S. to prepare for a potential war with China and is designed to penetrate hardened targets outside the reach of enemy air defenses.

The U.S. military is also reported to have launched more than 1,000 Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. This number is about 10 times the annual procurement volume, with each missile costing 3.6 million dollars (530 million won). The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank based in Washington, DC, estimated in a report released on March 27—prior to the ceasefire—that the U.S. military had used 850 Tomahawk missiles during Operation Grand Fury, and that around 3,000 missiles remained in inventory.

There are also claims that the war has reduced the United States' ability to wage war in Asia and Europe. As the conflict progressed, the U.S. Department of Defense urgently transferred missiles and bombs from Asia and Europe to the Middle East. CSIS stated, "Although there is sufficient ammunition to conduct this war, the expenditure of Tomahawk missiles and other missiles is significant," adding, "The risks to the United States in other theaters, especially in the Western Pacific, are rising."

Although the White House has not officially disclosed the numbers, it is estimated that the war is incurring astronomical costs. Two independent think tanks, CSIS and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), estimated in reports released earlier this month that the costs of the war thus far have reached 28 to 35 billion dollars. The daily cost is also estimated at 1 billion dollars. Jack Reed, the Democratic ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee from Rhode Island, stated, "At the current production rate, it could take years to replenish what has been depleted."

The White House has completely denied these reports. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The NYT article itself is false," adding, "The United States possesses the most powerful military in the world. The weapons and ammunition stockpiled both at home and abroad are sufficient to effectively defend the homeland and accomplish any military operation as directed by the Commander-in-Chief."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.