CNN: Shrinking Pentagon stockpiles lead to reduced military aid for Ukraine

CNN says US military aid to Ukraine has decreased due to dwindling Pentagon stockpiles and concerns about military readiness. Slow production rates and inventory shortages are impacting the ability to meet Ukraine's urgent requests for weapons and equipment.

Sep 17, 2024 - 21:00

CNN: Shrinking Pentagon stockpiles lead to reduced military aid for Ukraine

M1A1SA Abrams tank of the Ukrainian Army's 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade in action in Donetsk Oblast. Early August 2024. Screenshot from the brigade's video.

CNN reports that US military aid packages for Ukraine have been smaller in recent months due to dwindling stockpiles of weapons and equipment that the Pentagon is willing to send from its own inventory. This shift comes amid concerns about the impact on US military readiness as arms manufacturers struggle to meet the increased demand created by the war against Russia.

According to two US officials who spoke to CNN, the Biden administration still has $6 billion in funds available to arm and equip Ukraine, but the Pentagon lacks the inventory it is willing to deliver more than two years into the war without impacting readiness.

One official explained, “It’s about the stockpiles we have on our shelves, what [the Ukrainians] are asking for, and whether we can meet those requests with what we currently have” without affecting readiness.

US’ Ukraine aid faces deadline as White House seeks extension

The Pentagon has requested Congress for more time to spend the available funds before they expire at the end of September, according to Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary. This marks a significant change from last winter when the administration was urging lawmakers for additional funding to support Ukraine.

The US is working to ramp up production of key items such as 155 mm ammunition and Patriot missile systems. Before the war in Ukraine, the US produced approximately 15,000 155 mm artillery shells each month. With new factories and production lines opening, production has increased to 40,000 shells a month. However, it will take more than a year to reach the Pentagon’s goal of 100,000 shells per month, according to CNN.

The value of recent military aid packages to Ukraine has been significantly smaller compared to previous years. In 2022 and 2023, the Pentagon regularly announced packages worth between $600 million to $800 million, with the highest being $2.85 billion in January 2023. Recent packages have not exceeded $400 million, with most ranging from $125 million to $250 million, CNN noted.

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