CSIS Report: US Patriot, THAAD, and Tomahawk Missiles May Last for Years

A new report prepared by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that the defense industrial base of the United States lacks the capacity to support a protracted war. It warns that in the event of a high-intensity conflict breaking out, the country's critically important Patriot, THAAD, and Tomahawk missile stockpiles are at risk of rapid depletion.

According to the report, the production and delivery timelines for these strategic missiles are quite long. The current production volume cannot be increased to a level sufficient to meet both its own inventory needs and the international military aid provided to Ukraine. The core problem in rebuilding the arsenal is not a lack of funding, but rather the limited industrial and production capacity, which will take years.

CSIS also highlights two key vulnerabilities slowing down missile production: the supply chain for solid-fuel rocket motors relying on very few suppliers, and the dependence on imports for critical minerals and rare earth elements. In particular, the fact that over 70% of rare earth element imports in recent years have been concentrated on China poses a serious strategic risk for the US.