Israel’s Arrow Interceptors Running Out Fast as Iranian Missiles Pound Homeland

Defence affair

Sources within the U.S. defence establishment, speaking anonymously to American media outlets, have confirmed that Israel is facing a rapidly diminishing supply of its most strategic exo-atmospheric defence system, the Arrow, co-developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing, amid what is now considered the most intense missile and drone saturation campaign the Israeli homeland has ever encountered.

Israel’s vital stockpile of Arrow anti-ballistic missile interceptors is nearing critical depletion, heightening alarm within defence circles in both Tel Aviv and Washington as the country struggles to maintain operational readiness under the strain of unprecedented Iranian missile attacks.

Sources within the U.S. defence establishment, speaking anonymously to American media outlets, have confirmed that Israel is facing a rapidly diminishing supply of its most strategic exo-atmospheric defence system, the Arrow, co-developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing, amid what is now considered the most intense missile and drone saturation campaign the Israeli homeland has ever encountered.

The looming shortfall is already forcing Israeli military planners to make increasingly difficult decisions—deciding which threats to intercept and which to allow through—heightening the risk of damage to urban population centres and strategic infrastructure.

The crisis comes on the heels of Israel’s audacious military escalation last week, targeting what it described as Iran’s “existential” nuclear and missile infrastructure.

In retaliation, Iran launched over 370 ballistic and cruise missiles, accompanied by waves of suicide drones, specifically calibrated to challenge and exhaust Israel’s multi-tiered air and missile defence system.

While Israel’s Iron Dome continues to manage short-range threats, and David’s Sling tackles medium-range projectiles, it is the Arrow system—Israel’s top-tier shield against long-range ballistic missiles—that is now in danger of being overwhelmed.

A report by The Wall Street Journal reveals that Washington had long been aware of the Arrow missile shortage, and had been working behind the scenes to shore up Israel’s defences through expedited military aid and joint inventory sharing.

However, U.S. resources are also under pressure, as the Pentagon is simultaneously dispatching interceptors to other theatres such as Ukraine and Taiwan, raising internal concerns that its own missile stockpiles may also be running thin.

A follow-up analysis by The Washington Post, citing sources familiar with U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments, warned that Israel may only have 10 to 12 days’ worth of Arrow and other air defence munitions left if the current rate of Iranian missile launches continues.

The situation may become even more acute by the end of the week, as officials caution that Israel will soon be forced to triage its missile defence operations, selectively engaging only the most dangerous projectiles.

“The system is already overwhelmed,” said one source quoted in the report.

Indeed, Israel has begun allowing select missile impacts in open terrain, consciously conserving interceptors for high-value targets such as nuclear sites, military installations, and major population centres.