Is America Running Out of Ammo to Send to Ukraine?
Ukraine Are you burning ammunition? 155mm howitzers According to a, it’s leaving the United States in a hurry and is now stuck. CSIS releases new report.
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It could take as long as five years before the industrial base can produce enough rounds in order to replenish American stockpiles.
It’s more than just cannon balls. Stinger and Javelin missiles It could take up to six to eight years for U.S. inventory to become normalized.
This raises the question of whether the Americans can fight another war against an enemy such as China. China Without running out of ammunition
Alarming Level of Ammunition
The United States has transferred more than a million 155mm shellsSince the war started nearly a year ago, Ukraine has sent precision guided ammunition to help it.
CSIS rates this condition as a condition “red” The United States military uses this term to mean it is “unlikely to rebuild inventories within five years.”
It’s difficult to replace Excaliburs Javelins, Stingers, and Javelins
Excalibur Precision-guided rounds These munitions are also in decline. This year, Ukraine received 5,200 rounds. The United States sends approximately 1,000 Excaliburs each month, but the country’s annual production is only 1,000 rounds. This type of ammunition could be replaced by American stocks in seven years.
Up to 8,500 Javelin anti-tank missiles have been sent to the battlefield and 1,600 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles have been transferred, according A chart is included in the report It was compiled from news reports and Pentagon sources.
The U.S. Military Needs Ammo Too – Even in Peacetime
CSIS noted that U.S. field artillery marines and soldiers need shells to maintain proficiency and train, as well as the ammunition needed if there was a war. The conflict in Ukraine is an artillery duel from the beginning. Russia’s army is sometimes described as an artillery force with tanks. The U.S. also provides support for Ukraine’s military operations. M777 towed howitzers These were first sent out in April. Recently, the American Embassy granted the American Defenders. Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer – the jewel of the Army field artillery branch. This system will need more shells.
Ukraine Fires Over 4,000 Artillery Rounds Everyday
According to the report, Ukraine fires close to 4700 rounds per hour and 143,000 shells each month. This is not sustainable for the United States. The United States will need other military forces from the allies to provide artillery ammunition. Analyst at CSIS Mark Cancian The author suggested that this situation could turn into a crisis. Ukraine could be in trouble “ration shells and fire at only the highest priority targets.”
Heavy Fighting Requires Ample Artillery fire
The Ukrainians would find it impossible to live in this situation due to the ongoing heavy fighting in Donetsk, particularly around the towns of Bakhmut and SoledarArtillery fire is essential as Russian soldiers advance in waves.
Do you think the DoD has this under control?
A Pentagon spokesperson acknowledged the problem, but stated that the military is closely monitoring the situation. Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder He didn’t seem concerned about diminishing ammunition stocks. “We will not go below our readiness requirements as we take into consideration what Ukraine’s security assistance needs are,” Ryder stated this in a press release transcript.
Maybe South Korea Could Help
South Korea is one source that may help to alleviate the problem. The The South Korean army has a large artillery unit A productive industrial base, which could supply Ukraine with 155mm shells. Ryder stated that the Pentagon is currently in talks with the South Korean government regarding further assistance to supply efforts. The United States has agreed to South Korea: Purchase 100,000 rounds In November, however, Ukraine will move through these quickly.
You can use a different size of round instead
Another option for Ukraine would be to use lighter, less lethal weapons that are closer in range. 105mm howitzers ammunition. But the defenders will prefer the harder hitting rounds and Excalibur GPS-guided bullets.
This issue requires more attention
The problem may be of interest to Congress members. Republicans have reservations about the whole concept of aiding Ukraine militarily or financially. This hearing will only fuel their doubts. General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin may be asked difficult questions about the U.S. military’s ability to continue to send weapons and shells to Ukraine and whether or not other countries will pick up the pieces.
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Experience and Expertise in Authorship: Serving as 19FortyFive’s Defense and National Security Editor, Dr. Brent M. Eastwood Who is the author? Future Trends in Warfare: Humans, Machines and Data. He is an Emerging Threats expert, and a former U.S. Army Infantry Officer. You can follow him on Twitter @BMEastwood. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Political Science/ Foreign Policy/ International Relations.
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