THAAD missiles deployed in Israel as part of a joint Israeli-American drill, March 4, 2019. (IDF/US Army)
RTX Corp. stands to receive the largest share of replenishment contracts, with approximately $1 billion earmarked for Standard Missile interceptors.
The Pentagon is seeking $3.5 billion to restock its missile defense arsenal after U.S. Navy ships and Army units successfully helped defend Israel against Iran’s recent 12-day onslaught.
From June 13–24, Iran fired upwards of 500 ballistic missiles towards Israel in retaliation to strikes against its nuclear program.
Despite an 86% interception rate by US and Israeli forces, 36 missiles struck Israeli population centers, causing widespread damage and casualties.
Budget reimbursement documents submitted to congressional defense committees on Monday detail how American forces alone intercepted more than 290 Iranian missiles and drones during coordinated attacks, depleting stockpiles of some of the world’s most advanced missile interceptors.
RTX Corp. stands to receive the largest share of replenishment contracts, with approximately $1 billion earmarked for Standard Missile interceptors.
Most funding will go toward the advanced “SM-3 IB Threat Upgrade” version, each costing between $9 million and $12 million.
SM-3 interceptors
Lockheed Martin will receive $204 million for THAAD missile interceptors, which carry a production cost of about $12.7 million each.
An additional $9.2 million covers deferred maintenance on THAAD’s TPY-2 radar system. With just 11 interceptors in stock, the Pentagon also reportedly plans to buy 12 more this year.
THAAD interceptors
Congressional documents show that replenishment costs are separate from $4.2 billion in direct weapons and equipment shipments to Israel between October 2023 and May 2024. P
entagon officials justify the spending as necessary to offset costs incurred by U.S. Central Command during “responses to the situation in Israel” and combat operations “executed at the request of or in coordination with Israel for the defense of Israeli territory, personnel or assets during attacks by Iran” or its proxies.
Lockheed Martin, the maker of THAAD, operates nine active batteries worldwide—seven under U.S. command. Two have been shifted to the Middle East in recent years, alongside units in Guam and South Korea.
The United Arab Emirates also fields THAAD, having used it against Houthi missile attacks targeting U.S-Israeli shipping interests along the Red Sea.
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