US Weapons Stockpiles Depleted by Conflicts

Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, warned that ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are depleting U.S. weapons stockpiles, potentially undermining military readiness to respond to threats from China, particularly regarding Taiwan. Speaking at the Brookings Institution, Paparo acknowledged that supplying air defenses to Ukraine and Israel has strained resources, stating, 'It's now eating into stocks, and to say otherwise would be dishonest.' He highlighted China as a significant adversary, emphasizing the need to replenish U.S. military inventories to maintain operational capacity. The U.S. has provided over $60.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, including advanced systems like Patriot air defense systems and Army Tactical Missile Systems. Paparo criticized the current state of U.S. arsenals, expressing increased dissatisfaction with their depth and capabilities. He called for a concerted effort to enhance U.S. military readiness in light of these challenges.