- Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) confirmed that the idea was ‘on the table’
- The Pentagon has been warning for months that they will need to increase their weapons stockpiles if they supply Ukraine
- Additional funding for Ukraine remains stalled in Congress
President Joe Biden could pull weapons from America’s dwindling arms stockpile and send them to Ukraine even as Congress cuts additional funding to replace them, reports suggest.
The Pentagon has not yet made a final decision, but officials are considering the move as a way to continue supporting Ukraine despite the potential political pitfalls for the Biden administration.
Depleting U.S. supplies to support Ukraine would anger many Republicans, who say Biden should prioritize defending the United States first.
The flow of military aid to Kiev and the use of as many as 3,000 155mm howitzer shells per day have steadily drained US reserves, which at their peak in 2005 were worth $1.5 billion.
The Army uses about 150,000 grenades per year for training and is working to increase production from 20,000 grenades per month to 75,000 per year.
The Army test fires a Patriot missile during a recent test. By April 2022, US stockpiles of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles had been depleted by a third, leaving the Pentagon struggling to replenish them
Biden continues to reassure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States will ultimately provide him with the aid and ammunition he needs to defend his country against Russia.
The Pentagon last year requested $1.5 billion to increase production and requested $30 million in the budget to “secure” its arsenal.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the New York Times that the idea was ‘on the table’.
The Defense Department has received about $4 billion to send to Ukraine from its own stockpiles, according to the Defense Department CNNbut that the Pentagon remains reluctant to use them without assurance that they will be replaced.
By April 2022, US stockpiles of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles were depleted by a third, prompting the Pentagon clamber to complement them.
The Pentagon already warned in September that replenishment of U.S. supplies slowed due to House Republicans’ reluctance to pass more aid to Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the Marine Corps called up Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl to assure of the armed forces’ ability to replenish supplies while assisting Ukraine.
The Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package earlier this month, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine.
But Republican Chairman Mike Johnson remains reluctant to bring it up, citing the need for President Biden to first address the crisis at the southern border.
The Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package earlier this month, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine
Biden continues to reassure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States will ultimately provide him with the aid and ammunition he needs to defend his country against Russia.
“I’m going to fight until we get them the ammunition they need and the capability they need to defend themselves,” Biden said during a speech at the White House last week.