Iran War Depletes US and Israeli Arsenals: Lessons for European Rearmament

In a 40-day campaign against Iran that began on February 28, the United States and Israel conducted approximately 13,600 airstrikes, striking around 13,000 targets. The operations, named 'Roaring Lion' and 'Epic Fury', were characterized by an absence of significant ground combat, testing the limits of air power. The rapid expenditure of munitions outpaced industrial replenishment, raising concerns about sustainability. As Europe accelerates its own rearmament efforts, analysts question whether the model of warfare demonstrated in this conflict offers a viable blueprint. The campaign's outcome, with a turning point emerging in early April, prompts a reevaluation of military strategy and procurement priorities. The article, published in Der Freitag, explores the implications for European defense policy, urging a critical assessment of the lessons learned from the Iran conflict.