During iran war, U.S. Army used practically all its long-range precision weapons stocks. This involves Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) ballistic missiles.
Reuters reports this citing two own sources familiar with American arsenal condition. Exact details regarding remnants are not provided, but situation raises concern about U.S. unreadiness for potential future conflicts.
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Defense Express notes this actually is not absolutely new information as may seem at first glance. At minimum partially this was already disclosed earlier with iran war start and is connected with existing long-range weapons condition in U.S. Army.
Americans continue production of new ATACMS ballistic missiles, which have range up to 300 km. However they are supplied for export customers, while for U.S. military needs they are not purchased.
Reason for this is fact that transition to new ballistic missile occurs — PrSM, which has reduced warhead but greater range up to 500 km in current variants, which will increase in subsequent iterations. Also one package holds two units instead of one, and future modernizations were already tested, capable of engaging even surface targets.
Meaning Americans got stuck in transition period when old weapons stocks simply exhaust, while new only recently went into production and has not yet managed to reach military in sufficient quantity.
Recall that back in April 2026, American PrSM stock exhaustion was mentioned, which occurred at very start of war against iran in March, when first combat use of these missiles also occurred. This was logical, as in 2024-2025 only 380 units were ordered.
At same time, in 2026 production of 400 such ballistic missiles annually is planned, and in coming years they plan to increase this number fourfold. Meaning over time used stocks may be restored.
However, achieving stated results requires waiting, while right now U.S. Army long-range precision weapons arsenal genuinely remains very limited. Therefore in near perspective, concerns about unreadiness for full-scale conflicts are quite justified, especially considering possible war against russia or China will require much more ammunition.
Overall before us are consequences of insufficient orders and transition period, worsened by iran war, which requires mass ammunition use. Recall similar situation developed with air defense interceptors, including PAC-3 MSE, whose production will be gradually scaled over next 7 years.
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