US sounds alarm over Israel’s shrinking Arrow missile interceptor arsenal

Israel is running low on its critical stockpile of Arrow missile interceptors, a development that has raised alarms in Washington over the country’s ability to fend off long-range ballistic threats from Iran, a senior US official has revealed while speaking to The Wall Street Journal.

The supply issue has reportedly been on the radar of American defence officials for several months, and it has now become a pressing concern amid heightened regional tensions.

Since the escalation of hostilities in June, the Pentagon has increased its missile defence deployments across the region, reinforcing Israel’s defences from land, sea, and air. However, officials now fear that even US stockpiles may soon come under pressure if the missile threat continues unabated.

“Neither the US nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day,” warned Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defence Project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. “The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch.”

Arrow interceptors, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), form a key layer in Israel’s missile defence architecture, particularly for countering high-altitude, long-range threats like those from Iran.

IAI declined to comment on the current shortage, while the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) released a cautious statement: “The IDF is prepared and ready to handle any scenario. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on matters related to munitions.”

By Tamilla Hasanova