Replenishing key US weapons used against Iran could take over three years
Heavy use of key US weapons systems during the war on Iran is raising concerns about whether American forces would have enough firepower in a future conflict with China.
The systems include Tomahawk cruise missiles, which strike deep inside enemy territory, along with Patriot and Thaad interceptors used to defend against missiles and drones.
“The depleted inventories have created a window of vulnerability for a potential Western Pacific conflict,” the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report released on Wednesday, which also considered Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027.
“The problem today isn’t money; it’s time,” the report added.