U.S. To Spend $1.2 Billion To Maintain Red Sea Operations & Restock Missile Stockpiles
The Pentagon is set to spend $1.2 billion to sustain naval forces deployed in the Red Sea and replenish missile stockpiles amid growing regional tensions with Iran and its proxies.
The budget includes $190 million to restock Standard Missile-3 Block 1-Bs and $8.5 million to replace AIM-X Sidewinder missiles, used to shoot down Iranian and Houthi drones.
$300 million will be allocated for unplanned maintenance of the USS Bataan and ships in the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which are critical for Red Sea operations.
An additional $276 million will go towards purchasing Standard Missile-6 models, alongside $57.3 million for Tomahawk cruise missiles and $6.7 million for Enhanced Sea Sparrow missiles.
The Pentagon’s response to Iranian drone and missile attacks also includes $25 million to expand Standard Missile production and $26.4 million to replace Coyote Block 2 drone interceptors.
$20 million will be spent on laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rockets, a crucial addition to the U.S. military arsenal for precision strikes.
The U.S. and its allies intercepted an attack in April involving 300 drones and missiles fired by Iran, showcasing the necessity of maintaining an effective missile defense system.
The escalating situation in the Middle East, particularly linked to tensions in Israel, has driven the Pentagon to bolster its missile defenses and naval capabilities.
Restocking and maintenance efforts are focused on ensuring the readiness and resilience of U.S. forces in the Red Sea, a critical region for global shipping and energy trade.