Israel depleting its missile defenses amid Iran barrage

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A senior U.S. official warns Israel is using its advanced ballistic missile interceptors, including Arrow 2 and 3, at an unsustainable rate as the conflict with Iran enters its fifth day.

Israel's layered air defense system is being stretched thin, especially the Arrow and Stunner interceptors, which are costly and difficult to replenish quickly.

Analysts said Israel's interceptor reserves were already strained from previous engagements in 2024, including with Iranian proxies and may soon require rationing to manage shortages.

Israel is reportedly spending around $285 million per night on missile defense, leading to questions about how long it can sustain current operations without external resupply, particularly from the United States.

Experts warned that any expansion of the war, especially U.S. involvement, could deplete missile interceptor inventories in both Israel and the U.S., limiting their ability to respond to further threats.

A senior U.S. official has revealed that Israel is burning through its supply of advanced ballistic missile interceptors at an unsustainable rate as it enters the fifth day of direct conflict with Iran.

Israel's air defense comprises the short-range Iron Dome, the medium-range David's Sling and the long-range Arrow 2 and 3 systems. The Arrow interceptors, jointly developed and produced with the U.S., are designed to counter high-speed ballistic threats, including exoatmospheric hypersonic missiles.

However, replenishing the Arrow stockpile has long been a challenge.

Israel was already struggling to restock after the April 2024 missile barrage of Iran, with interceptors being both expensive and complex to produce, defense analysts said Israel is facing difficult choices in prioritizing missile defense deployments. (Related: Iran calls ballistic missile attack response on Israel "legal, rational and legitimate.")

Dan Caldwell, a former U.S. Department of Defense official who has opposed open conflict with Iran, warned on social media that Israel's supply of Arrows and Stunner interceptors may be nearing exhaustion.

"The types of interceptors that are required to shoot down ballistic missiles are expensive and difficult to produce in mass quantities," Caldwell posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I will assume Israel has stockpiled a decent number of Arrows and Stunners for its David's Sling but they have to had expend[ed] many of those against the Houthis and during Iran's previous missile attacks last year. It is therefore likely that Israel and U.S. are going to have to start rationing their interceptors soon."

Meanwhile, the U.S. official, who has direct knowledge of resupply efforts, said the use of Israel of its most sophisticated missile defense systems, including the Arrow 2 and 3 interceptors, has been "rapid and heavy." This, in turn, has sparked fears that any expansion of the war, especially involving a direct U.S. strike on Iranian soil, could provoke even more severe retaliation from Tehran and quickly deplete the global missile interceptor reserves of America to a "horrendous" level.

Analysts: Israel-Iran conflict won't last long as missile exchange strains both sides

For the fifth consecutive day, the skies over Israel have been lit with the high-stakes choreography of modern warfare: a storm of Iranian ballistic missiles cutting through the air, met by a web of Israeli defensive interceptors scrambling to shield the country from devastation.

What began with a surprise Israeli strike deep inside Iran on June 13, a coordinated assault by covert operatives and fighter jets, has now evolved into a grueling exchange of firepower that analysts said neither side may be able to sustain for long.

According to Israeli intelligence estimates, Iran began the conflict with around 2,000 missiles capable of reaching Israel from up to 1,200 miles away. But early strikes by Israel reportedly destroyed a significant share of that arsenal. Since then, Iran has launched approximately 400 missiles, while Israeli strikes have knocked out about 120 missile launchers, or one-third of Iran's capacity to fire.

Military officials in Tel Aviv said Israel has achieved "air superiority over Tehran" earlier than expected, further constraining the ability of Iran to launch coordinated attacks. This strategic edge appears to be paying dividends. After a massive barrage of more than 150 missiles on the war's opening night, the firepower of Iran has dwindled. By Tuesday afternoon, June 17, only 10 missiles were fired.

"Iran has to make a very, very difficult calculation because they have a limited amount of missiles, and considering the rate of fire, they cannot replenish in real time," said Fabian Hinz, a military analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Still, the threat is far from over. Israeli officials warn that more than half of Iran's missile stockpile remains and unknown quantities may be hidden in underground depots. With Iran possibly adjusting tactics to preserve its remaining arsenal, Israeli defense planners face a different kind of challenge: cost.

Each night of missile defense operations is estimated to cost Israel nearly one billion shekels or about $285 million according to The Marker, Israel's leading financial daily. That kind of spending, coupled with the wear on missile defense systems, raises concerns about how long Israel can continue intercepting missiles at its current success rate.

An individual familiar with joint U.S.-Israeli intelligence assessments, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, said Israel may only be able to sustain its current defense posture for another 10 to 12 days and even less if Iran intensifies its attacks again.

Learn more about the ongoing conflicts involving Israel at WWIII.news.

Watch this report discussing Houthi claims about attacking U.S. Navy destroyers in the Red Sea.

This video is from the Treasure Of The Sun channel on Brighteon.com.