Concerns in the Pentagon Over Depleting Advanced Arsenal… Washington Turns to “Dumb Bombs” to Reduce Missile Consumption
A U.S. report reveals declining stocks of “Tomahawk” missiles as military operations against Iran escalate and a shift toward using lower-cost bombs.
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The American news agency Bloomberg has revealed growing concerns within the United States Department of Defense(the Pentagon) over the potential depletion of advanced weapons stockpiles amid the intensive use of long-range missiles and air-defense systems during the ongoing military operations against Iran.
According to the report, the increasing use of long-range cruise missiles—most notably the Tomahawk cruise missile—has raised mounting concern among U.S. military circles that stockpiles could fall to worrying levels if operations continue at the current pace.
Limited Stockpile and Slow Production
The agency indicated that the United States possesses approximately 4,000 Tomahawk missiles, while annual production capacity does not exceed fewer than 100 missiles. This imbalance places significant pressure on the strategic stockpile if the high rate of consumption continues.
Military experts believe that such a rate of use could create a gap between consumption and production, potentially threatening the operational capability of the U.S. military in the medium term.
Returning to Lower-Cost Bombs
In an attempt to conserve expensive advanced missiles, the report explained that Washington has begun shifting toward the use of less costly weapons, including Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs—conventional bombs fitted with precision guidance systems that convert them into smart munitions.
This approach aims to reduce pressure on long-range missile inventories while maintaining the ability to carry out precise strikes at a lower cost.
Broader Strategic Concerns
The report warned that the depletion of advanced weapons in a regional conflict could negatively affect U.S. military readiness in the event of a confrontation with major powers such as China, raising increasing concern among strategic experts in the United States.
Military analysts emphasized that if the war continues at its current pace, Washington may be forced to reassess its priorities in deploying its advanced arsenal in order to preserve its global military balance
