Pentagon watchdog warns Iran war has exposed US munitions shortfall
Operation Epic Fury cost an estimated US$33.4 billion between 28 February and 30 June, with US$22.3 billion spent on expended munitions, according to the Pentagon inspector general.
The United States military is facing strategic ammunition shortfalls and bottlenecks in the industrial base responsible for resupply, according to a report by the Pentagon inspector general.
The report said Operation Epic Fury, the US war in Iran, incurred an estimated cost of US$33.4 billion between 28 February and 30 June. Expended munitions accounted for US$22.3 billion of that figure.
The assessment also recorded four F-15s destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft damaged and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed.
The report does not specify the precise level of current US ammunition stocks, or how long the shortfalls may last or affect military operations. President Donald Trump has rejected concerns over depleted weapons stores, saying the United States has “virtually unlimited” ammunition.
The findings emerged as Saudi officials said Houthi missile and drone attacks had wounded 13 civilians in southern Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh-led coalition said the attacks struck Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif; the Houthis said Saudi Arabia responded with more than 50 strikes.
The claims about the Saudi attacks, injuries and retaliatory strikes have not been independently verified in the supplied material.
