Israel is running low on its stock of Arrow missile interceptors, raising fresh concerns over the country's ability to counter long-range ballistic missiles from Iran if the conflict drags on, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The report cited a senior US official as saying that Washington has been aware of the issue for several months and has stepped in to bolster Israeli air defenses, deploying systems across land, sea, and air.
Since hostilities intensified in June, the Pentagon has ramped up its regional missile defense presence, though US interceptor supplies are also under strain.
“Neither the US nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day,” said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste... we cannot afford to sit and play catch.”
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement it was “prepared and ready to handle any scenario,” but added it could not discuss munitions-related matters.
Arrow is a critical part of Israel’s multi-layered defense shield, designed to intercept high-altitude ballistic missiles, including those potentially launched from Iran.
