US missile stockpile depletion crisis
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026
Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation — Raytheon may see increased demand and potential revenue from accelerated missile production, though the long replenishment timeline could strain capacity. The depletion of U.S. military stockpiles raises geopolitical risk, potentially affecting global markets and defense spending priorities.
The United States has depleted virtually all of its global stockpile of high-precision offensive missiles, including ATACMS, Precision Strike Missiles, and Tomahawks, during the war against Iran that President Donald Trump launched. Defensive interceptors such as Patriot and THAAD are also critically low, with estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicating two-thirds of Patriot missiles and nearly half of THAAD systems have been used. The shortages have constrained Trump's military options, reportedly contributing to his decision to call off a threatened strike. The Pentagon is pressuring manufacturers Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation — Raytheon to accelerate production, but replenishment will take years. The crisis has broader strategic implications, weakening U.S. deterrence against China, North Korea, and Russia, and impacting allies such as Ukraine, which may no longer receive American weapons. Trump has dismissed reports of the crisis as fake news, while critics like Kori Schake argue the administration has found new ways to lose.
Set up alerts, explore entity relationships, search across thousands of events, and build custom intelligence feeds.
Open Dashboard