The U.S. Navy says it’s burning through missile supplies too quickly after helping defend Israel from Iranian attacks. Lawmakers now want answers about whether the military can keep up with global threats.
Key Facts:
- Admiral James Kilby told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the Navy is using SM-3 missiles at an “alarming rate.”
- The SM-3s were used during the recent defense of Israel against Iranian missile attacks.
- Sen. Brian Schatz questioned whether the Navy has enough missiles for broader threats; Kilby said it does, but emphasized the usage rate is high.
- Sen. Mitch McConnell warned that the U.S. needs more air defense interceptors and long-range weapons.
- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said missile production is a top concern and is receiving the same urgency as shipbuilding.
The Rest of The Story:
Admiral James Kilby, acting chief of Naval Operations, raised concerns about how quickly the Navy is using SM-3 missiles.
These missiles, designed to intercept and destroy ballistic threats, were used heavily in the recent defense of Israel from Iranian strikes.
Kilby responded to questions from Sen. Brian Schatz about whether the Navy has enough SM-3s to defend against global threats.
“We do, sir,” Kilby said, “but we are… using them at an alarming rate.”
He explained the SM-3s are provided by the Missile Defense Agency and are being used effectively—but heavily.
Sen. Mitch McConnell echoed those concerns, pushing for a stronger supply of munitions across the board.
“Recent conflict tells us we need a lot more of them,” McConnell said.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro responded that increasing missile production is a major priority, on par with building ships.
He said the Pentagon is exploring alternative partners and production strategies to meet demand.
Commentary:
The fact that the U.S. was able to protect Israel so successfully speaks volumes about our military readiness—at least for now.
But that level of success came with a steep cost: we used a lot of valuable and specialized munitions in a short amount of time.
While Admiral Kilby says we currently have what we need, his testimony makes it clear that the rate of consumption is unsustainable in the long term.
If another major conflict breaks out—especially one involving our NATO partners or Taiwan—there’s a real risk that the stockpile won’t be deep enough.
Senator McConnell’s call for more long-range artillery and interceptors is a common-sense warning.
America can’t project strength if it runs out of missiles during the first week of battle.
These weapons aren’t just for fighting—they’re a deterrent to prevent war in the first place.
This is a wake-up call for our military supply chain.
The defense industry is bogged down by red tape, limited suppliers, and capacity constraints.
If we want to remain the world’s top military power, we need faster production, wider procurement channels, and investment in advanced manufacturing.
Secretary Del Toro’s response that they are treating this as seriously as shipbuilding is encouraging, but the urgency needs to be backed with real results.
America cannot afford delays when adversaries like China and Iran are arming themselves daily.
The use of SM-3s to protect allies is noble and necessary, but we can’t allow our own defense posture to be compromised.
We must build more, build faster, and ensure that any future enemy knows we’re fully stocked and ready.
The Bottom Line:
The U.S. Navy says it has enough missiles for now, but recent defense operations against Iran drained supplies quickly.
Leaders warn the military must ramp up production to keep pace with future threats.
Without rapid improvements in the defense supply chain, America’s ability to lead and protect could weaken when it matters most.
Read Next
– White House Orders Agencies to Depoliticize Research, Apply ‘Gold Standard Science’ Principles
– GOP Lawmakers Seek to Federally Criminalize Blocking or Obstructing Traffic
– LA County Sheriff’s Department Posts ‘Condolences’ to Those Affected by US Strike on Iran
