Voices in the United States accuse the Pentagon of failing to maintain weapon stockpiles for managing conflicts in the world
Ukraine, Israel, Seoul, Japan - the U.S. is trying to manage the world on several fronts, as the Pentagon faces a shortage of weapons of various types
Dan Arkin
| 27/12/2023
There is a global shortage of ammunition; this shortage extends to the U.S. and perhaps also to the IDF. At the beginning of 2023, the USA transferred to Ukraine 300,000 155 mm artillery shells from its warehouse in Israel.
Following the October 7th war, Defense News reports, Israel is asking the U.S. for ammunition, and a shortage of American stocks is now being felt.
Congress is already raising questions about the armament economy planning policy and supply priorities. If one were to happen, the U.S. military would not have enough ammunition to deal with a crisis in the Indo-Pacific region, and it cannot currently deal with wars on three fronts.
The Ukrainian army fires 110,000 155 mm shells per month, operational needs reach 356,000, and the desired ideal amount is almost 600,000.
After doubling production, 28,000 shells are produced in the U.S. per month. Israel is asking for shells, and the question is, where will the Pentagon find shells for Israel without reducing the amount delivered to the Ukrainian army?
Israel also asked for precision-guided munitions, small-caliber bombs, and direct-attack munitions. The U.S. has promised to supply these products, but there is a fear that its emergency reserves will be impaired.
In 2022, the Pentagon purchased between 2,000 and 3,000 small-diameter bombs (SDM) and JDAM bombs from manufacturers. This annual purchase is less than the amount Israel used for six days in its current war in Gaza.
The Pentagon is also accused of failing to manage its arms economy in other areas. There is a shortage of Tomahawk missiles and MK48 torpedoes, which will not be enough to arm U.S. Navy destroyers.
Experts say the U.S. is preparing for conflict with China over Taiwan, but North Korea could also suddenly decide to invade South Korea; the U.S. has a contractual obligation to help Seoul.
All this requires vast amounts of ammunition and armaments currently lacking in the military warehouses.
Ukraine, Israel, Seoul, Japan - the U.S. is trying to manage the world on several fronts, as the Pentagon faces a shortage of weapons of various types
There is a global shortage of ammunition; this shortage extends to the U.S. and perhaps also to the IDF. At the beginning of 2023, the USA transferred to Ukraine 300,000 155 mm artillery shells from its warehouse in Israel.
Following the October 7th war, Defense News reports, Israel is asking the U.S. for ammunition, and a shortage of American stocks is now being felt.
Congress is already raising questions about the armament economy planning policy and supply priorities. If one were to happen, the U.S. military would not have enough ammunition to deal with a crisis in the Indo-Pacific region, and it cannot currently deal with wars on three fronts.
The Ukrainian army fires 110,000 155 mm shells per month, operational needs reach 356,000, and the desired ideal amount is almost 600,000.
After doubling production, 28,000 shells are produced in the U.S. per month. Israel is asking for shells, and the question is, where will the Pentagon find shells for Israel without reducing the amount delivered to the Ukrainian army?
Israel also asked for precision-guided munitions, small-caliber bombs, and direct-attack munitions. The U.S. has promised to supply these products, but there is a fear that its emergency reserves will be impaired.
In 2022, the Pentagon purchased between 2,000 and 3,000 small-diameter bombs (SDM) and JDAM bombs from manufacturers. This annual purchase is less than the amount Israel used for six days in its current war in Gaza.
The Pentagon is also accused of failing to manage its arms economy in other areas. There is a shortage of Tomahawk missiles and MK48 torpedoes, which will not be enough to arm U.S. Navy destroyers.
Experts say the U.S. is preparing for conflict with China over Taiwan, but North Korea could also suddenly decide to invade South Korea; the U.S. has a contractual obligation to help Seoul.
All this requires vast amounts of ammunition and armaments currently lacking in the military warehouses.
