Israel’s Arrow Missile Shortage: Can the U.S. Help?

According to U.S. officials, Israel’s supply of Arrow missile interceptors is now dangerously low. As a result, doubts have emerged about Israel’s ability to sustain long-range missile defense.

These concerns have also turned attention to the United States, Israel’s key ally and main supplier of Arrow parts.

Washington now faces pressure to help restock interceptors as Middle East tensions escalate quickly. The Arrow system plays a crucial role in stopping high-altitude ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities.

Jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing, Arrow reflects deep U.S.–Israeli defense cooperation. Two versions exist: Arrow 2 for upper-atmosphere intercepts and Arrow 3 for threats beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Arrow 2 can strike missiles

Arrow 2 can strike missiles at 30 miles altitude, while Arrow 3 reaches up to 1,500 miles. However, each interceptor costs about $3 million and takes years to produce in large quantities.

Unlike the Iron Dome or David’s Sling, Arrow is a high-end system designed for long-range, strategic defense. Now, with inventories dwindling, Israel urgently needs support to maintain its shield against future Iranian barrages.

Unlike mass-produced Iron Dome interceptors, Arrow missiles target advanced ballistic threats like Iran’s Shahab-3 and Fateh-110. These missiles can travel over 1,000 miles in minutes, threatening Israel’s cities and key military sites.

Iran’s missile barrage began after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 12. The preemptive strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile sites, and military command centers.

The Israel Defence Forces said the goal was to “degrade, destroy, and eliminate” Iran’s nuclear threat. Iranian state media reported 224 deaths, including civilians, and 1,277 injuries since the Israeli campaign began.

Israel reported 24 deaths and 390 injuries from Iranian retaliation. The IDF claims to have destroyed many Iranian missile launchers and air defense systems.

Large-Scale Strikes

They say this has reduced Tehran’s ability to mount large-scale strikes. Iran has fired over 270 missiles since June 12, straining Israel’s defenses.

Some missiles penetrated the Arrow system, hitting homes in Tel Aviv and Haifa. A senior U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal about concerns over Israel’s dwindling Arrow stockpile. They warned that rapid depletion could undermine Israel’s defense against Iran’s long-range ballistic missiles.

The official’s remarks, published on June 18, highlighted the difficulties of replenishing these expensive interceptors amid an ongoing conflict.

The Middle East Eye, referring to a former U.S. defense official, reported that both Israel and the U.S. are depleting their interceptor stockpiles at an unsustainable rate, raising concerns that an extended conflict could exhaust global reserves.

Dan Caldwell, a former Defense Department official, stated in a June 17 post on X that the types of interceptors necessary for neutralizing ballistic missiles are costly and challenging to manufacture in large quantities.

The Arrow system originated in the 1980s as Israel aimed to mitigate the escalating missile threats from regional adversaries, notably Iraq’s Scud missiles during the Gulf War.

Missile Defense Agency

The United States gave billions of dollars to Israel through the Missile Defense Agency, recognizing Israel’s strategic importance. These investments strengthened their partnership and made Arrow one of the most advanced anti-ballistic missile systems in the world.

The Arrow’s exo-atmospheric capability gives Israel a unique edge against high-altitude threats. This approach is different from the U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD), which works at similar altitudes but has a limited range, and Russia’s S-400, which focuses on multi-role air defense.

However, its reliance on a limited number of interceptors is different from systems like Russia’s S-300, which Iran has used, highlighting the production challenges Israel is facing.

The United States has actively participated in Israel’s defense by intercepting Iranian missiles using the THAAD and Patriot systems deployed in the region.

On June 13, the USS Arleigh Burke, a destroyer of the U.S. Navy, launched SM-3 missiles to safeguard Israel, as reported by a U.S. defense official and cited by Middle East Eye.

ABC News

On June 15, President Donald Trump indicated to ABC News that the U.S. might get more involved if the conflict gets worse, but they want to stress that Washington was not involved in Israel’s first attacks.

The Biden administration gives Israel $3.8 billion in military aid every year, which includes money for missiles. The situation. The situation shows how close the two countries are.

However, the ongoing crisis has led to questions about whether the U.S. can or will speed up Arrow production to meet Israel’s urgent needs.

Iran’s many missiles are a big problem, even if they’re not as good as Israel’s defenses. Israeli intelligence estimated that Iran possessed approximately 2,000 ballistic missiles capable of striking Israel prior to the onset of the conflict, although the IDF asserts it has eliminated a substantial portion of these assets.

The Institute for the Study of War reported on June 17 that Israel’s strikes have diminished Iran’s missile capabilities, as evidenced by a reduction in the scale of Iranian barrages, indicating a possible depletion of Tehran’s stockpiles. Iran has demonstrated that it has enough firepower to challenge Israel’s defenses by launching six attacks since June 12.

Centre for Strategic and International Studies

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies said on June 13 that Iran’s plan probably includes using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones together to get past Israel’s air defenses. Other wars, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, have employed this strategy.

The human cost of the conflict has been severe. On June 15 in Israel, a missile strike in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, resulted in the deaths of four women and children, while a separate assault in Haifa left nine individuals injured, as reported by Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service.

Other conflicts, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, have employed this tactic. The International Atomic Energy Agency has verified the destruction of thousands of centrifuges at Natanz as a result of these conflicts.

The United Nations, through Secretary-General António Guterres, has urged for “maximum restraint,” voicing apprehensions regarding Israeli assaults on nuclear facilities amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, which Iran terminated on June 13.

The history of tensions between Israel and Iran is important to understanding the current crisis. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has seen Israel as its main enemy and has given money to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas to weaken Israel’s power. Israel has conducted secret missions and airstrikes to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which contributed to the escalation in 2025.

Israel’s Defensive Systems

Iran’s previous missile attacks, such as those in April and October 2024, showed that Israel’s defensive systems were not up to par.

In October 2024, analysts at the Middlebury Institute noted that Israel had trouble getting more Arrow interceptors after a Houthi missile hit near Tel Aviv. These events are a sign of the current strain on Israel’s missile defense systems.

The US’s role in this war goes beyond just providing military support. The Trump administration talked to Iran about nuclear weapons and told it to agree to limits on its nuclear program to stop things from getting worse.

Iran’s decision not to take part in the talks scheduled for June 15 in Oman, as reported by Iranian state television, has made diplomatic efforts more difficult.

The US has moved ships and planes around in the Middle East, and on June 18, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he would meet in the White House Situation Room to talk about the crisis.

The New York Times reported on June 17 that these actions show that Washington is ready to respond if the conflict gets worse, especially if Iran attacks U.S. bases in Iraq or Qatar.

Israel’s first job is to keep its defenses up against Iranian missile attacks. According to Reuters, on June 14, the IDF was able to stop most of the missiles that were coming in.

Arrow System

The effort has reduced damage, but the fact that some missiles got through shows that the Arrow system isn’t excellent at stopping long-term attacks.

After Hamas attacked in 2023, Israel implemented the laser-based defense system Iron Beam as a long-term solution. However, it is still in its early stages and cannot yet replace Arrow’s ability to stop ballistic missiles.

Israel’s reliance on the U.S. for interceptors and operational help shows how strategically dependent the two countries are on each other.

The possible Arrow deficiency in Israel has effects that go beyond the country itself and affect the whole Middle East. A weaker Israeli defense could give Iran and its allies more power.

A longer conflict could also bring in more regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have called for restraint.

The Washington Post reported on June 13 that Russia condemned Israel’s attacks, and The New York Times reported on June 14 that President Vladimir Putin offered to mediate. The development adds an international element to the crisis.

NBC News reports the Group of Seven met in Canada on June 15, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. They also labelled Iran as a “principal source” of instability in the region.

It remains unclear if the U.S. will allow Israel to exhaust its Arrow interceptors as the conflict continues. Despite the Biden administration’s commitment to Israel’s security, supply shipments may face delays due to political and logistical issues.

This crisis tests both Israel’s resilience and the strength of the U.S.–Israel alliance. The region is on the verge of escalating into a broader conflict. Can Washington balance its support for Israel with stopping a nuclear-armed Iran? Or will depleted Arrow stocks push the Middle East toward confrontation?

References

• Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO)
• U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
• The Wall Street Journal—Israel’s Missile Interceptor Stockpile Running Low
• Middle East Eye—Arrow Interceptor Shortage
• Institute for the Study of War—Iran Missile Capabilities
• Reuters—IDF Intercepts Iranian Missiles
• The New York Times—U.S. Role in Israel-Iran Conflict
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
• NBC News – G7 Reaction to Israel-Iran Conflict
• ABC News—Trump’s Statement on U.S. Involvement