Media: US has fewer than 1,700 Patriot missiles remaining due to operation against Iran

U.S. military operations against Iran have depleted American arsenals, with the Pentagon left with fewer than 1,700 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. This was reported by The New York Times (NYT), citing sources.

According to their information, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to get military contractors to accelerate production, but despite all efforts, it could take the United States more than two years to manufacture the more than 1,500 Patriot missiles that were expended during combat operations against Iran. The U.S. has fewer than 1,700 such missiles, the publication's source emphasized.

The depletion of arsenals is forcing the Pentagon to redirect ships, aircraft, and air defense units from Asia and Europe to the Middle East, the newspaper notes. This has weakened American military capabilities in those regions and could negatively affect troop morale and military equipment maintenance, NYT writes. U.S. officials fear that this approach will cause Japan and the Republic of Korea to doubt Washington's ability to defend them if necessary.