Israel is reportedly running low on its supply of Arrow interceptors, a crucial defense system used to counter long-range ballistic missiles from Iran, a U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
Since the escalation of hostilities in June, the U.S. Pentagon has reinforced regional defenses, deploying additional missile defense systems. However, growing concerns are emerging in Washington over the accelerating depletion of U.S.-supplied interceptors.
The U.S. and Israel have long anticipated the strain such a conflict could place on missile defense infrastructure. According to Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day.”
Israel Aerospace Industries, which manufactures the Arrow interceptor system, declined to comment on reports of the shortage. The Israeli military, in a brief statement, said it is fully prepared to respond to any developments, but added, “We are unable to comment on matters related to munitions.”
Meanwhile, Iran has ramped up its missile production following Israeli strikes on strategic and nuclear targets inside Iranian territory. Dan Caldwell, former senior adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, estimates that Iran possesses nearly 2,000 missiles capable of reaching Israeli territory.
Tehran has unveiled ten new missile variants with varying range capabilities, although specific numbers and performance data remain undisclosed. U.S. intelligence assessments from 2024 identify Iran as having the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the region, with a focus on improving accuracy and destructive capacity.
Iran’s missile program was highlighted as early as 2013, when the country showcased missiles with ranges exceeding 2,000 kilometers during a military parade — further underlining the challenges facing Israel’s air defense as the conflict intensifies.
