WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. military has redeployed a significant portion of its long-range stealth cruise missiles to support ongoing operations in the Middle East, highlighting the intensity of the current campaign and growing concerns over munitions supply.
According to reporting, more than 1,000 JASSM-ER missiles have been used within four weeks of operations tied to Iran, prompting officials to shift remaining stockpiles from the Pacific to Central Command bases and locations in the United Kingdom. The repositioning is intended to sustain strike capabilities as demand for precision, long-range weapons increases.
Defense officials indicate that roughly 425 of the estimated 2,300 JASSM-ER missiles remain available outside the Iran theater, underscoring the strain on U.S. inventory. Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the missiles, is expected to produce nearly 400 additional units in 2026, though current usage rates suggest supply pressures may persist.
Analysts warn that concentrating these weapons in one region could reduce U.S. military flexibility in other theaters, potentially weakening deterrence elsewhere. Kelly Grieco of the Stimson Center noted that the reliance on long-range strike systems raises broader questions about sustainability and the need for alternative capabilities.
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