A US Congressional study has warned that stockpiles of the highly sophisticated Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) Missile Interceptor system have drastically depleted in the ongoing war against Iran.
The study projects a 3–8-year gap to fully replenish these missile systems, exposing significant vulnerabilities, particularly due to low production rates.
The US Naval Institute (USNI) quoted the Department of Defence (DOD) as saying in its March 23 Congressional Research Service report that the THAAD system is a key element of US Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD).
THAAD employs interceptor missiles, using “hit-to-kill” technology and is capable of engaging targets at 150–200 km range.
The key findings and concerns of the Report are Inventory Depletion.
About 25 per cent of the THAAD interceptor stocks have been exhausted, with 100–150 missiles expended to shield Israel during 2025–2026 conflicts. The DOD budget estimates showed only 11 new interceptors were procured last year, with 12 expected this fiscal year, failing to keep pace with usage.
According to DefenseMirror.com, a Defence portal, the high usage rate has created “glaring gaps” in US Defence planning and strategy, specifically impacting coverage for other regions like Guam and South Korea. Due to high demand in the Middle East, THAAD batteries have been re-allocated from other areas like South Korea.
THAAD is a highly effective, combat-proven system capable of intercepting Ballistic Missiles inside and outside the atmosphere. While the US Army operates eight batteries, they have been deployed in Israel, Jordan, Romania, and South Korea. US Arms company Lockheed Martin produces these systems in Alabama to support the military’s replenishment needs.
A THAAD battery consists of approximately 90 soldiers, 6 truck mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (8 per launcher), 1 Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control Mode 2 (AN/TPY-2) radar, and a Tactical Fire Control/Communications component. THAAD provides Combatant Commanders a rapidly deployable capability against short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range (1,000–3,000 km), and limited intermediate-range (3,000–5,000 km) ballistic missile threats inside or outside the atmosphere during their final (terminal) phase of flight.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency claimed that the US has lost one-third of their air Defence munitions, including THAAD. In addition, several THAAD radar systems have been destroyed, and they are unable to replace them, because replacements require several years. As a result, US military bases in the southern Persian Gulf are now left defenceless against Iranian missile attacks.
Several reports warn that THAAD stocks are “worryingly low,” which could handicap future military engagements. During the twelve-day war in June 2025, the US used over 150 THAAD interceptors, representing approximately 25 per cent of the total inventory funded by all prior US military budgets.
As of late 2025/early 2026, it is estimated the US has roughly 200 or fewer interceptors remaining in its active stockpile, following the heavy usage in recent conflicts, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Unlike traditional missiles, THAAD interceptors do not carry an explosive warhead. They destroy targets through pure kinetic energy by colliding with them at hypersonic speeds. Standard interceptors have a range of 150–200 km.
Each THAAD system costs about 2 Billion USD. The cost of THAAD system is divided between the Individual Interceptor Missiles (IIM) and the Complete Battery Infrastructure.
While the Individual Interceptor Missile costs about 12 million USD per unit, complete THAAD Battery costs between 1 billion and 2 billion USD per system. The ongoing Middle East war has driven costs of IIM to 15.5 million USD due to urgent replenishment needs and supply chain pressures.
Ramesh Bhan
