Details of the American missile crisis after the confrontation with Yemen
The American website “Military,” which specializes in military affairs, revealed that the US Navy is facing significant difficulty in replenishing its missile stockpiles after they were depleted during operations in the Red Sea against Yemen.
Translations – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:
The website indicated that the recent confrontations exposed serious gaps in the US fleet’s capabilities, most notably a shortage of the missiles necessary to support military operations, at a time when the US is preparing for a potential confrontation with China or other adversaries.
The report explained that between October 2023 and January 2025, US ships launched defensive missiles to intercept drones and missiles coming from Yemen at a rate exceeding what was used during the thirty years following Operation Desert Storm, and they also launched hundreds of offensive missiles at Houthi sites inside Yemen.
It noted that the Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group alone launched 155 defensive missiles and 135 Tomahawk cruise missiles during its deployment between November 2023 and June 2024, which forced some ships to leave the Red Sea for extended periods to rearm, according to statements by US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.
The website confirmed that the American industrial base suffers from significant weakness in production capacity due to years of intermittent orders and the absence of incentives for manufacturers to expand production lines, noting that producing a Tomahawk missile can take up to two years due to a shortage of suppliers and specialized components.
The report also highlighted that the US defense supply chain has become strained and fragile due to corporate mergers and global events, with severe bottlenecks emerging in essential components, including solid-fuel rocket motors, as the number of domestic producers shrinks significantly.
It further indicated that modern ships like the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are unable to reload missiles at sea, as they are forced to return to port to re-equip Vertical Launch Systems, which could take them out of service for weeks in the event of a large-scale conflict.
The website concluded its analysis by stating that the current missile shortage and logistical constraints represent a severe strategic risk for the US in the event of facing a major power like China, given the enemy’s substantial industrial capabilities and possession of a vast missile arsenal.