US Commits Most of Stealthy Long-range Missiles to Iran War

Monday, April 06, 2026

JASSM-ER cruise missiles are to be pulled from Pacific stockpiles, reducing supplies of systems meant for more capable foes like China

Posted by lamplighter at 01:31 PM | 8 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Consider the opportunity costs of the war in Iran. The missiles might have been sent to Ukraine, to end that war. The money might have bought healthcare for Americans. The attention of Europe and Asia might have been focused on countering Russia and China, not re-opening the Strait of Hormuz
-- Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum.bsky.social) Apr 2, 2026 at 8:37 PM

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More from the article ...

... Missiles at US facilities elsewhere, including the continental US, will be moved to US Central Command bases or Fairford in the UK, said the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive details.

After the moves, only about 425 JASSM-ER out of a pre-war inventory of 2,300 will remain available for the rest of the globe. That would be roughly enough for 17 B-1B bombers on a single mission. Another 75 or so are "unserviceable" because of damage or technical faults. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-04 03:44 PM | Reply

China could be licking their chops.

Great time for them to grab Taiwan, eh?

#2 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-04-04 03:48 PM | Reply

Taiwan is much, much closer to China than Cuba is to America.

And both authoritarians eventually want them.

#3 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-04-04 03:55 PM | Reply

Traitor.

Hope y'all speak Mandarin.

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-04-04 04:04 PM | Reply

"US commits most of stealthy long-range missiles to Iran war"

With apologies to George Will...

If Trump were Putin's puppet, and he and Xi wanted America to be as weak as possible...

...what would he be doing differently?

#5 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-04-04 04:19 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Great time for them to grab Taiwan, eh?

#2 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-04-04 03:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

With all 4 landing ships? It's a long swim.

#6 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-04-06 01:54 PM | Reply

"AI Overview

China operates approximately 50 to over 80 dedicated landing ships (LSTs/LSMs) and has significantly expanded its amphibious capabilities with new, large amphibious transport docks and helicopter docks (Type 075/071). This fleet is supported by a large number of civilian roll-on/roll-off ferries and barges."

China Suddenly Building Fleet Of Special Barges Suitable For Taiwan Landings

www.navalnews.com

#7 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-04-06 02:22 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

FWIW: 12 Oct 2025: drudge.com

#8 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-04-06 03:59 PM | Reply