U.S. Faces Ammunition Shortfall: Impact of Operation Epic Fury

The Defense Department’s inspector general has disclosed a significant ammunition shortage in the United States, attributed to its expensive war in Iran. This revelation comes from the first-ever mandatory report to Congress, which details how Operation Epic Fury (OEF) has impacted strategic reserves.

Between February 28 and June 30, OEF incurred a cost of $33.4 billion. Out of this, $22.3 billion was expended on munitions alone. The report highlights how the extensive use of munitions has led to inventory shortfalls and exposed bottlenecks in the industrial base for resupply.

An F-35C Lightning II was prepared for flight operations aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in support of OEF on March 2, 2026. The conflict has also led to the loss of American assets, including four destroyed F-15s, one damaged F-35, seven damaged KC-135 tanker aircraft, and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Despite concerns over depleted weapon stores, President Trump has downplayed the issue over the past six months, stating recently that the US possesses ‘virtually unlimited’ ammunition. On his Truth Social platform, he claimed the U.S. is developing ‘more Exquisite and Elite Weapons than at any time in our History.’

During the initial 24 hours of the conflict against Iran, the United States targeted over 1,000 sites, according to Central Command (CENTCOM). However, in recent months, such large-scale attacks have not been repeated. Tehran was seen with smoke billowing in the distance after reported explosions on March 2, 2026.

The report details how Iranian strikes damaged hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. The costs of rebuilding these bases have not been factored into the estimates, as it remains uncertain whether reconstruction will occur and who will cover the expenses.

CBS Sunday Morning recently gained access to Lockheed Martin’s Arkansas facility to observe the production of Patriot air defense missiles. Designed to intercept ballistic missiles, each Patriot missile costs approximately $4 million. Lockheed Martin is currently producing 750 units annually.

When questioned about the sufficiency of U.S. weapons for the ongoing conflict, Mark Cancian from the Center for Strategic and International Studies asserted that while adequate for a war with Iran, a potential conflict with China would pose challenges. While the U.S. might sustain munitions supply for a month, maintaining it into the second or third month would be difficult.

Though the Pentagon has refuted claims of ammunition shortages, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged the defense industry to boost weapon production. Tim Cahill, Lockheed Martin’s missile division head, described the current situation as ‘controlled chaos,’ urging rapid identification and dismantling of obstacles in manufacturing.