Patriot missiles heavily used in Iran conflict, straining limited stockpiles

US forces and regional partners are leaning heavily on Patriot interceptors as they and other air defenses try to stop Iranian missiles and drones. Following the start of Israel's Operation Roaring Lion and America's Operation Epic Fury, Tehran launched strikes that prompted defenders to fire MIM-104 Patriot batteries, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems, and ship-launched Standard-series interceptors.

Gulf allies that operate Patriot variants, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, have also been active; Kuwait reported facing 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones in recent days. The volume of incoming threats is drawing down stocks that were already in high demand.

Ukraine has relied on Patriots to blunt Russian barrages, and experts warn current inventories are strained.

Iran

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