Iran news: Israel faces massive air defense crunch as Arrow interceptors run low and US stockpiles dwindle
The Iran-Israel conflict continues to intensify with each passing day. Now, Israel's air defense reportedly is under unprecedented strain as Iranian missile attacks escalate. Military officials may soon have to make difficult decisions about what they can protect.
Israel faces massive air defense crunch
The country's Arrow interceptor supply is reportedly running low, and the United States, which has been helping to shore up defenses, is also depleting its own reserves.
Israel is reportedly running low on defensive "Arrow" missile interceptors, according to an unnamed US official quoted in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
Israel may need to begin rationing its air defenses by later this week because "the system is already overwhelmed,' as per a report.
The scarcity has sparked worries about the nation's capacity to continue fending off Iran's long-range ballistic missiles.
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The Islamic Republic has launched more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel in retaliation since Israel began its shock operation on Friday to eliminate the "existential threat" posed by Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities.
What's the role of the U.S. in this crisis?
The Journal report claims that the US has been trying to strengthen Israel's air defenses in response to the Arrow interceptor shortage, which it has been aware of for months. However, those stocks are also limited.
There is now concern that the US is depleting its stock of interceptors after sending many to Israel.
How long can Israel's defenses hold up?
According to "some assessments," Israel can sustain its air defense for 10–12 days at the current rate of Iranian attacks, which have decreased since the fighting began last week, before the US will need to resupply its supplies or become more involved in the conflict, according to a report in The Washington Post on Tuesday that quoted a person briefed on US and Israeli intelligence.
What happens if interceptors run out?
Officials warn that Israel may soon have to reduce its missile defenses in order to remain in the fight. Israel "will need to select what they want to intercept" by the end of this week.
Israel has already decided to let some missiles fall even though it is aware that they will land in open spaces. It hasn't been able to destroy every missile aimed at major cities or vital infrastructure, though, when confronted with intense bombardments.
Has Israel openly accepted that it's running low on Arrow interceptors?
However, Israel did not respond to the reports. Although it was unable to comment on munitions-related issues, the Israel Defense Forces told the Journal that it is "prepared and ready to handle any scenario."
Israel has not indicated that there is a lack of interceptors, as quoted in a report by The Times of Israel.
According to the IDF, the majority of Iranian missiles launched at Israel in recent days have been intercepted at rates comparable to those observed during Iran's attacks in April and October of 2024.
The IDF claims to have precise intelligence on Tehran's missile arsenal and has prearranged its operation.
FAQs
Is Israel actually running out of missile interceptors?
Yes, US officials say Arrow interceptor stocks are running low, and Israel may have to begin rationing them by the end of the week if the attacks continue.
Can the US continue to support Israel's defense efforts?
For the time being, yes, but U.S. stockpiles are also dwindling, raising concerns about long-term support in the absence of deeper involvement or emergency production.
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