3,000 weapons in 36 hours: US-Israel strikes on Iran reveal stockpile strain

Satellite picture taken on March 10, 2003, shows the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility in central Iran (Image: AFP)

• Over 3,000 precision munitions used in US-Israeli strikes on Iran
• Iran launched 1,000 munitions, triggering costly interceptions
• Western weapons stockpile and supply chain concerns grow

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The first 36 hours of the United States and Israeli strikes on Iran involved more than 3,000 precision-guided munitions and interceptors, highlighting potential strain on Western weapons stockpiles, according to an analysis cited by Foreign Policy.

Using a proprietary open-source ledger and data-scraping tool from the Payne Institute, the report estimated that Iran launched over 1,000 munitions across the region in the same period. This triggered multiple interception attempts by Israeli, US and allied defence systems, Foreign Policy reported.

While most interceptions were successful, they came at a high cost and raised concerns about how quickly such weapons can be replenished.

According to the Foreign Policy analysis, the US alone used around 250 GBU-31/32/38 JDAM bombs, 120 Tomahawk missiles, 60 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles fired by MQ-9 Reaper drones, and 10 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators in the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury. Defensive systems also fired about 90 Patriot PAC-2/PAC-3 interceptors and 180 SM-2/SM-3/SM-6 missiles from Navy Aegis platforms.

Israel’s strikes relied on roughly 280 Spice-2000/1000 guided bombs, 70 Rampage supersonic missiles, 140 smart bomb kits and around 50 Delilah cruise or loitering missiles. The Tamir interceptor used in the Iron Dome formed the backbone of Israel’s missile defence.

The analysis noted that prolonged use of such munitions could put pressure on supply chains, particularly because modern guidance kits rely on rare earth materials dominated by China.

Concerns over interceptor shortages may already be emerging. CNN reported that at least one US Gulf ally is running low on key interceptor munitions used to defend against Iranian missile and drone attacks.

US military leaders had also warned President Donald Trump before the conflict that a prolonged campaign could strain US stockpiles supporting Israel and Ukraine, according to sources cited by the American outlet.

Trump has downplayed those concerns. In a post on Truth Social, he said US munitions stockpiles “at the medium and upper medium grade” have “never been higher or better”, adding that the country has a “virtually unlimited supply of these weapons”.