U.S. Is Burning Through Tomahawk Cruise Missile Stockpile at an Alarming Rate
3 hours ago
- #military-stockpiles
- #Tomahawk-missiles
- #Middle-East-conflict
- The Pentagon is concerned about the rapid depletion of Tomahawk cruise missile stocks due to ongoing operations against Iran.
- Over 850 Tomahawks have been fired in the conflict, leading to discussions on increasing production, which is limited to a few hundred per year.
- Tomahawk missiles are expensive (up to $3.6 million each) and take up to two years to build, with recent small procurement batches exacerbating shortages.
- The U.S. faces potential ammunition shortfalls ('Winchester') in the Middle East, despite Trump administration claims of sufficient stockpiles.
- Regional dynamics include Saudi Arabia urging intensified U.S. attacks on Iran, while Gulf states have differing priorities regarding ending the war.
- Iran has faced strikes on steel production and nuclear facilities, with threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and target allied shipping.
- U.S. and Israeli military actions continue, including deployments of F-35Cs and uncrewed surface vessels, and strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
- There are reports of U.S. troops relocating to hotels in the Gulf due to Iranian attacks, and potential Saudi involvement in the conflict.
- Diplomatic tensions exist, with the UAE proposing a maritime task force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran accusing the U.S. of using human shields.
- The conflict has broader implications, including impacts on global energy supplies and regional alliances, with Ukraine seeking defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia.