NYN | News
The American magazine Newsweek has revealed a significant depletion in the United States’ stockpile of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missiles, due to their intensive use in protecting Israel during its recent confrontation with Iran. This development highlights the cost of American military support for its allies in the region and the potential implications for Gulf and Middle Eastern security.
According to a detailed report by the magazine, Washington withdrew a substantial portion of its advanced defense systems from various locations around the world to bolster Israel’s missile defenses during the recent war. Approximately 20% of the global stock of THAAD interceptor missiles was used, which experts described as a “strategic hemorrhage” in U.S. deterrent capabilities.
Newsweek added that Israel relied primarily on the THAAD system to defend against missile attacks originating from Iran and Yemen. However, the system faced operational challenges after it failed to intercept several Yemeni missiles that targeted deep inside Israel during the recent crisis.
A $27 Million Missile
The report also quoted a military affairs researcher who said that the cost of producing a single THAAD interceptor missile could reach $18 million by 2025. When including research, development, testing, and evaluation costs, the total could exceed $27 million—placing a significant financial burden on the U.S. defense establishment, especially amid rising simultaneous threats across multiple regions.
Impact on the Gulf
Newsweek pointed out that the excessive use of THAAD missiles in Israel may negatively affect future arms deals with allied Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, which rely on this system as a key component of their missile defense strategies.
Urgent Production… and Limited Options
The report concluded that the United States is now in urgent need of replenishing its supply of THAAD interceptor missiles, raising questions about Washington’s readiness to handle multiple crises at once—particularly with escalating conflicts in the Middle East and rising tensions with China and Russia.
