Rubio complains about Iran having more missiles than US, Israel and bases have interceptors.

[womanofthehills]

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Marco Rubio:

"They can build 100 ballistic missiles a month

We build 6 or 7 interceptors a month... versus thousands of their one-way drones"

( US, bases, and Israel will be super low on interceptors in around 7 to 10 days says Bloomberg. ). Guess Trump and Rubio didn’t plan too well.

Link to tweet

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Grok - different interceptors and prices.( Most expensive is THAAD - 15 million for one interceptor. )


Here's a breakdown of major systems:

- Iron Dome (short-range rockets, primarily Israeli system): Tamir interceptor costs about $40,000–$100,000 per missile (often cited around $50,000 in recent reports, though older or operational estimates sometimes reach $100,000–$150,000 including extras).

- Patriot (PAC-3 / PAC-3 MSE) (medium-range, widely used by US and allies): Around $4 million per missile (some export or variant figures range $4–$6 million).

- David's Sling (medium- to long-range, Israeli system): Stunner interceptor approximately $1 million per missile.

- Arrow 2 / Arrow 3 (ballistic missile defense, Israeli system): Roughly $2–$3 million per interceptor (Arrow 3 often around $3 million).

- THAAD (terminal high-altitude ballistic missile defense, US system): About $12–$15.5 million per interceptor (recent FY2025–2026 estimates around $12.7–$15 million).

- SM-3 (Aegis BMD, various blocks): Block IB around $9–$15 million; Block IIA up to $28 million or more.

- Other high-end systems: Ground-Based Interceptor (for ICBMs) can exceed $90–$111 million per unit.

Costs can escalate in practice because systems often fire multiple interceptors per incoming threat for higher success probability (e.g., 2 per target). Emerging technologies like Israel's Iron Beam (laser-based) promise much lower per-interception costs (potentially just dollars in electricity), but it's not yet fully operational.

These are defensive interceptor costs—the attacking missiles (e.g., drones or basic rockets) are often far cheaper, creating an economic asymmetry in prolonged conflicts. Figures come from sources like US Department of Defense budgets, Missile Defense Agency data, CSIS, and defense analyses as of 2025–2026. Exact prices can vary by contract

( I live north of White Sands Missile Range and have been concerned about the toxins from missles exploding during testing. I know THAAD is tested down there - never realized one interceptor could cost 15 million. Sometimes when they are testing , the put siran gas simulates in missiles and bacteria in missles to test their sensors. Supposedly, it dissipates before it gets to nearby towns but I find it creepy and can get paranoid it’s in our air when there is a low allergy day but everyone is sneezing. They even have a desert ship in White Sands for practice. One time about 20 yrs ago, there was an errant missile and our schools were evacuated. )