The U.S. Army has confirmed in a report from the Department of Defense inspection that the war with Iran has caused shortages of ammunition and advanced weapons. Since the beginning of this war on February 28 until June 30, Operation "Epic Fury" has incurred costs of nearly $33.4 billion (equivalent to €29 billion), of which $22.3 billion has been spent on ammunition.
New Discoveries About Weapon Shortages
The report has informed Congress that the scale of weapons used in these conflicts has led to "strategic shortages" and highlighted bottlenecks in the U.S. defense industry's ability to replenish stocks. Experts estimate that it may take about three years for advanced missile and defense system inventories to return to pre-war levels.
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Damage and Casualties from the Conflict
The report also mentions damage to military equipment, stating that four F-15 fighter jets have been destroyed, one F-35 has been damaged, and seven KC-135s have been damaged or destroyed. Five of these aircraft were hit by Iranian munitions while on the ground in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, each costing about $30 million (equivalent to €26 million), have also been lost.
In response to this report, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that military ammunition stocks are "virtually unlimited" and that weapon production is at unprecedented levels. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that the U.S. is producing "superior weapons and more elite than ever in its history."
The Pentagon continues to believe that the U.S. Army has the necessary weapons to deal with any conflict. The inspection report also refers to extensive damage to U.S. military bases caused by Iranian attacks. Hundreds of buildings and other structures at military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan have been damaged or destroyed.
The cost of repairing or rebuilding these facilities has not been included in the estimated $33.4 billion, and U.S. officials have yet to determine whether all these damaged facilities will be rebuilt and who will bear the cost.
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