US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged on Wednesday that dual military support for Ukraine and Israel is weighing on US arms stocks. The statement, made during a press conference in Laos, highlights the logistical challenges facing the Biden administration.
“The simultaneous security assistance provided to Ukraine and Israel has definitely taken some equipment out of our stockpiles,” Austin admitted. However, the head of the Pentagon underlined the positive aspects of this situation: each presidential decision to supply weapons leads to a renewal of stocks with more modern equipment.
This dynamic also generates positive economic benefits for the United States. “These weapons and munitions are manufactured on American soil, creating jobs,” Austin explained. He nevertheless acknowledged that this replenishment process “takes time”.
To address these challenges, the Biden administration is actively working with the arms industry to increase the production capabilities of the U.S. industrial base. This strategy aims to maintain the United States’ ability to support its allies while preserving its own strategic stockpiles.
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