A Defense News article discusses the strain on U.S. munition stockpiles due to increased demand from Ukraine and Israel. In early 2023, the U.S. transferred artillery shells to Ukraine, but the ongoing conflict has depleted stockpiles, impacting munitions planning. Ukraine's monthly shell expenditure exceeds U.S. monthly production by approximately 3.6 times. Israel's request for 155mm shells further stresses stockpiles. The Pentagon's poor munitions planning raises concerns about its ability to address Indo-Pacific contingencies. Israel has also sought precision-guided munitions, raising questions about U.S. capacity and planning. Wargames indicate potential shortages in high-intensity conflicts with China. The article highlights deficiencies in the Navy's Tomahawk missile inventory and warns of potential challenges in responding to conflicts in multiple regions simultaneously. It emphasizes the need for strategic prioritization, reworking acquisition plans, and promoting multiyear procurement authorities for munitions. The article underscores the importance of addressing long-term munitions challenges to safeguard national interests.
Here is the link to the original article:
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/12/19/the-us-needs-more-munitions-to-deter-china/
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