US Army seeks increased funding for interceptor missiles
US stocks of missiles and interceptors for air and missile defense have declined after they were used in the early stage of the war with Iran. As The National reports, the US Army has allocated significantly larger sums to replenish its arsenal in its budget request for fiscal year 2027.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost of the war at no less than $38 billion as of August 1. The largest single expenditure was launches of interceptors and munitions for missile defense. The office warned that US stockpiles would remain depleted for several years as a result.
Declining Patriot and THAAD stockpiles
The United States used Patriot and THAAD interceptors to protect its military personnel and allies in the Middle East from Iranian missiles and drones. The Pentagon's inspector general acknowledged a strategic shortfall in stockpiles and industrial bottlenecks that complicate their replenishment.
According to an assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the number of Patriot interceptors fell from 2,330 at the start of the conflict to fewer than 850 by the end of July. THAAD stockpiles decreased from 452 to approximately 250 units. The center noted that reduced stockpiles could force the United States and its partners to assume greater risks during interceptions, as there are no full-fledged alternatives to Patriot and THAAD for ballistic missile defense.
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Budget requests and contracts
In its budget request for fiscal year 2027, the US Army is seeking $12.2 billion for Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles. This is more than nine times higher than the previous year's request of $1.3 billion. The funds are intended to finance the procurement of 2,798 missiles, while the fiscal year 2026 request provided for 233 missiles.
The US Army also requested $11.4 billion for THAAD interceptors, compared with approximately $1.5 billion in the fiscal year 2026 request. The new request provides for 857 such interceptors. In July, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked the Senate for nearly $90 billion in emergency funding to replenish munitions stockpiles.
In recent weeks, the Pentagon has announced production agreements worth tens of billions of dollars with defense companies. Last month, the department reported agreements with Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin to increase the production of missiles and their components.
