US missile defence strained amid rising Middle East tensions

The ongoing escalation in the Middle East could significantly deplete the US missile arsenal, jeopardizing military assets in Europe and Asia.

Following the US announcement on October 13 to deploy a Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, strains are becoming evident in both nations' missile defence systems, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

While not explicitly stated, this deployment may aim to persuade Israel to avoid targeting Iranian nuclear and oil sites, thereby mitigating further escalation. This marks a shift from Israel’s typical reliance on its own military for self-defence, indicating challenges with its missile defence capabilities, particularly against missiles launched by Iran and Hezbollah.

American concerns also centre around the number of sea-based Standard (SM-3) anti-ballistic missiles already used to counter threats to Israel and shipping in the Red Sea from Yemen’s Houthis. If the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, the US may face tough decisions regarding the depletion of its THAAD and SM-3 inventories, which are critical for addressing threats in other potential conflicts, especially in Asia.

Israel operates a comprehensive missile defence system, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow interceptors, as well as the US-supplied Patriot system. Despite intercepting most threats during an April 13 attack, Israel failed to counter over thirty missiles during a recent October strike, indicating possible resource conservation amid growing concerns about interceptor availability.

As the US Sixth Fleet's inventory of SM-3 interceptors nears depletion, the country faces a critical choice: prioritize missile defence for Israel or ensure adequate deterrence capabilities against threats from China and Russia. With Iran possessing over 3,000 ballistic missiles, the potential for significant depletion of US missile inventories raises urgent strategic questions about prioritizing defence efforts in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

By Vafa Guliyeva