US fired over 600 missile interceptors defending Israel in three years
The article analyzes US military spending and resource usage in the Middle East, specifically regarding missile defense for Israel. It details the high volume and cost of interceptors like the SM-3 and THAAD deployed since October 2023.
Why it matters
It highlights the significant financial and strategic strain on US military resources due to ongoing regional conflicts.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER: How the US spent $11 billion shooting down missiles for Israel since October 2023.
*Latest newsletter for VIPs: US fired 19 years’ worth of Patriot interceptors in 7 months
The US fired an estimated 609 ballistic missile interceptors to defend Israeli territory from October 2023 through September 2026, based on my analysis of Pentagon budget documents, media reports, and open-source intelligence.
This does not include the interceptors the US fired to protect its own military assets while waging war on Israel’s behalf , including the 30 Patriot interceptors US troops used on June 23, 2025 , to shoot down 13 missiles fired at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar (Iran’s telegraphed retaliation for the US attacks on June 21 ), and virtually all of the approximately 1,800 Patriot interceptors the US fired in the first seven months of the Iran War.
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