Missile defense systems are in short supply worldwide.Image: AP US Air Force
Several experts warn that the USA will soon run out of defense missiles. A military journalist is now reassuring.
Mar 5, 2026, 1:41 p.mMar 5, 2026, 1:41 p.m
Whether THAAD missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles or SM-3 missiles: The US Army stocks are dangerously low, warn various experts. General Dan Caine of the Defense Department is said to have stated that the defense missiles could be used up after two weeks of the Iran war.
There are no exact numbers because they are secret. Is the situation really that precarious? Guido Schmidtke, a military journalist at the “Welt” broadcaster, doesn’t think so SRF writes. The ratio is crucial. And Schmidtke is convinced that the USA’s reserves are larger than those of Iran.
US President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also seem convinced of this. “Iran cannot hold out longer than we can,” the latter recently told reporters.
Many conflicts eat up stocks
Defense missiles are in short supply worldwide. This is also due to the Ukraine war and other conflicts. At the same time, the production of THAAD missiles is expensive. In the end, it is important to have the right strategy. Iran probably handles its stocks carefully because certain missiles are not intercepted, said Schmidtke. At the same time, the enemy’s defenses should be circumvented: “We also see that Iranian missiles and drones repeatedly hit successfully. This is an indication that the Iranians are able to outwit anti-aircraft defenses.” And according to media reports, Iran has plenty of drones.
There are still reserves
But defensive missiles are of no use if there are no launch pads. And that’s apparently what the USA is after. However, it is uncertain whether they can destroy Iran’s reserves before their own reserves are exhausted, explains Schmidtke. “The USA and Israel will not be able to destroy everything.” Some storage or production facilities are underground. Mobile launchers are also difficult to detect from the air.
Smoke over Tehran on March 5th: Israel and the USA are targeting Iran’s launch pads, among other things.Image: keystone
Nevertheless, the USA has reserves that it could tap in an emergency. For example, those defense missiles that are actually intended for Ukraine or those that are stationed in Asia. However, because they could be crucial in the event of a conflict with China or North Korea, the US is reluctant to curb them, reports AlJazeera.
The experts are changing course
And finally, General Caine, who had warned about the shortage, recently said that the USA had enough ammunition. For strategic reasons, he did not want to go into the discussion in more detail.
Kelly Grieco, who also pointed out the low stocks, now explains that the plan for the USA could possibly work out after all. However, this will only happen if Iran can fire fewer missiles than before in the coming days. If these numbers go down because the US and Israel destroy the launch pads or their storage facilities, then we might be able to continue this strategy, she said aloud ABC News. (front)