US Iran war exposes ammunition shortages, industrial bottlenecks, Pentagon watchdog says

US Iran war exposes ammunition shortages, industrial bottlenecks, Pentagon watchdog says



It also lists losses to the American fleet, including four F-15s destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft damaged and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed. — AFP pic


Summary

• The US Defense Department's inspector general reported a critical ammunition shortage due to the US's costly Operation Epic Fury in Iran, which expended $22.3 billion on munitions.
• This has led to strategic inventory shortfalls and highlighted industrial bottlenecks in munitions resupply.
• The conflict also incurred significant losses to the American fleet, including several aircraft and drones.
• Despite these challenges, President Donald Trump dismissed concerns over ammunition depletion, asserting robust weapon production capabilities.
• The report excludes the costs related to damage at US bases in the region.

First Published: Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026 1:41 PM MYT



WASHINGTON, Sept 15 — The US Defense Department’s inspector general revealed Monday that the United States is facing a shortfall in ammunition as a result of its costly war in Iran.

In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector said that between February 28 and June 30, Operation Epic Fury (OEF) had an estimated cost of US$33.4 billion, with US$22.3 billion of that spent on expended munitions alone.

The report noted “the munitions expenditure on OEF has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply.”

It also lists losses to the American fleet, including four F-15s destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft damaged and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed.

kt adds: don't forget the 2 x MC-130's 

😂😂😂 

President Donald Trump has repeatedly brushed off concerns of depleted weapons stores during the six months of war in the Middle East, saying the US has “virtually unlimited” ammo just a couple weeks ago.

Yesterday, Trump posted to his Truth Social platform saying again the US is producing “more Exquisite and Elite Weapons than at any time in our History.”

CNN has previously reported shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defense interceptors had affected Trump’s strategy in the conflict with Iran, with the US military having “nearly exhausted 80%” of its stock of THAAD interceptors.

During the first 24 hours of war against Iran, the United States struck more than 1,000 targets, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said, and has not returned to such large scale attacks in recent months.

The report notes that “Iranian strikes damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan during the conflict,” but does not include those costs in the cost estimates, saying it’s not yet clear if all the bases will be built, or who will foot the bill. — AFP

***

What about military 'gifts' to the wankees' Boss, the Shailoks? wakakaka