'Israel' risks running out of Arrow 3 interceptors within weeks: WSJ

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Wall Street Journal
21 Jun 2025 12:40
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to confirm whether stocks were running low, stating in an interview with Kan: "I would always like more and more."

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Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that "Israel" is rapidly depleting its stock of Arrow 3 interceptors, the cornerstone of its long-range missile defense. As Iranian missile volleys persist, the United States is scrambling to reinforce Israeli defenses, revealing the growing strain on Tel Aviv's capacity to shield itself without external support.

In response to the dwindling munitions, the US has sent another Navy destroyer to the eastern Mediterranean, adding to a growing fleet now positioned within range to intercept missiles fired from Iran. "Without Arrow 3, it's problematic," said Timur Kadyshev, a researcher at the University of Hamburg. "You have less time to shoot down an incoming missile because you're shooting them only in the terminal phase."

American warships, equipped with SM-2, SM-3, and SM-6 interceptors, are now operating off the occupied Palestinian coast and in the Red Sea. The SM-3, which was first used in combat last year against Iranian projectiles, is capable of destroying missiles in space during their mid-flight phase.

In parallel, the US has replenished ground-based interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system it deployed in "Israel" last year. The system is operated by US Army personnel and can intercept ballistic threats during their final descent, either inside or just outside the atmosphere.

Interceptor Strain

The stepped-up military presence reflects concern in Washington that "Israel's" air defense capabilities may buckle if the conflict continues. A US official acknowledged the risk, saying "Israel" could exhaust its Arrow 3 inventory within weeks if Iran sustains its pace of retaliation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to confirm whether stocks were running low, stating in an interview with Kan: "I would always like more and more."

But Iran has not backed down, maintaining its missile campaign and keeping pressure on Israeli defenses. "There's no time to lose, and two weeks is a very long time," said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Despite American assistance, the growing cost and pace of the war are raising concerns in both "Israel" and the US. A senior US officer noted that Washington's interceptor supplies are also being drained, "SM-3s will start running low at this pace of operations, cutting into reserves for the next kinetic engagement."

With the war reportedly costing "Israel" hundreds of millions of dollars per day, the limits of US support, and of "Israel's" endurance, are beginning to surface.