The United States may be facing a shortfall in weapons stockpiles, according to a report by the Pentagon’s inspector general on the consequences of the war against Iran. The document says heavy use of ammunition during the military campaign reduced strategic reserves.
The report also says the situation exposed limited capacity to produce and deliver new ammunition. In other words, replenishing depleted stocks quickly could prove difficult if operational demands remain at the same level.
According to Pentagon estimates, US military operations against Iran from February 28 to June 30 cost about $33.4 billion. Of that total, $22.3 billion was the value of ammunition used in the campaign.
Until now, the Pentagon had denied reports of ammunition shortages, insisting that the US military has the weapons it needs. President Donald Trump said on September 14 that the United States is now producing more advanced weapons than ever before and that they are being delivered daily to American forces stationed in the Middle East.
The report also details the physical impact of the war on US facilities across the region. It says Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.
Dozens of US aircraft were also damaged or destroyed, the report says.
