According to a report by the American 'Political News Network' on August 25th, the ongoing war in Iran is depleting the United States' missile inventory, and this also serves as a wake-up call for Australia, which relies heavily on US weapons. Australian experts have said that if the United States itself faces shortages in its own military supplies, 'they will definitely prioritize their own needs.'
Reports indicate that Australia’s defense planning relies heavily on weapons manufactured in the United States. A study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows that as of May this year, 39 days after the start of the war in Iran, the U.S. military had used more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The current production rate is unable to keep up with the demand.
CSIS Australian Project Leader Charles Eder warns that the Iranian War is putting "huge pressure" on US military inventory, potentially lengthening supply time and increasing delivery delays for allied missiles from Australia and other nations.
Australia has currently ordered approximately 220 Tomahawk missiles manufactured in the United States, and has also spent $736 million on purchasing AIM-260 long-range air-to-air missiles. Although the US has approved a maximum sale of 450 AIM-260 missiles, Australia is expected to purchase about 90 units initially, with delivery scheduled for 2033.
"Whether it's the United States or other countries, if our key military supplies are completely reliant on another country's production, they will naturally prioritize meeting their own needs." said Australian marine security expert Jennifer Park.
This also forces Canberra to accelerate the reconstruction of its domestic military capabilities. Australia plans to build two guidance weapon factories by 2029, but Parker believes that the current pace is still “not fast enough”. James Patterson, a spokesman for the Australian opposition coalition on defense affairs, also warned that conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran have caused a global shortage of military supplies, and countries are facing “a long queue of replenishment”.
