U.S. defense contractors face challenges in replenishing Ukrainian arsenals – CNN
The Pentagon is compelled to reduce its military assistance to Ukraine due to its inability to adequately replenish its own stockpiles, which may lead to the forfeiture of aid funds. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A report from CNN on Tuesday indicates that the US is providing less military aid to Ukraine due to the Pentagon's limited equipment and ammunition available for export without jeopardizing national security, according to unnamed officials. Defense contractors are struggling to replenish domestic stocks swiftly, with estimates suggesting it could take “years” to ramp up production to the necessary levels.
Since April, no military aid packages sent to Kiev from the US have surpassed $400 million. Most packages are valued between $125 million and $250 million, which marks a significant reduction compared to previous years when packages ranged from $600 million to $800 million, with the largest package in that timeframe being worth $2.85 billion.
Sources cited by CNN highlight the constraints imposed by America's current inventory and the Pentagon's struggle to keep it stocked. “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 damaging America’s national security, one official noted.
The report also reveals that prior to the escalation of the conflict in early 2022, the US was producing 15,000 155mm artillery shells monthly. Currently, the production has increased to 40,000 shells per month, but it is anticipated to take over a year for American manufacturers to reach a target of 100,000 shells monthly. The overall process to scale up production “will take years,” according to the report. “There are limits to how quickly we can draw down equipment without impacting military readiness, which is one reason packages get spaced out,” one CNN source pointed out.
Additionally, a report from AP last week highlighted that the US might be unable to utilize $5.8 billion of military aid out of the $13.4 billion sanctioned by Congress in April. The White House has urged Congress to extend the timeframe for using these funds, with CNN confirming that the Pentagon has also requested additional time, as the deadline approaches at the end of September.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Western allies of Kiev have allegedly advised Ukraine to reconsider its expectations of defeating Russia on the battlefield. To achieve such an objective, the West would need to “provide hundreds of billions of dollars worth of support, something neither Washington nor Europe can realistically do,” according to the WSJ.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Since April, no military aid packages sent to Kiev from the US have surpassed $400 million. Most packages are valued between $125 million and $250 million, which marks a significant reduction compared to previous years when packages ranged from $600 million to $800 million, with the largest package in that timeframe being worth $2.85 billion.
Sources cited by CNN highlight the constraints imposed by America's current inventory and the Pentagon's struggle to keep it stocked. “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 damaging America’s national security, one official noted.
The report also reveals that prior to the escalation of the conflict in early 2022, the US was producing 15,000 155mm artillery shells monthly. Currently, the production has increased to 40,000 shells per month, but it is anticipated to take over a year for American manufacturers to reach a target of 100,000 shells monthly. The overall process to scale up production “will take years,” according to the report. “There are limits to how quickly we can draw down equipment without impacting military readiness, which is one reason packages get spaced out,” one CNN source pointed out.
Additionally, a report from AP last week highlighted that the US might be unable to utilize $5.8 billion of military aid out of the $13.4 billion sanctioned by Congress in April. The White House has urged Congress to extend the timeframe for using these funds, with CNN confirming that the Pentagon has also requested additional time, as the deadline approaches at the end of September.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Western allies of Kiev have allegedly advised Ukraine to reconsider its expectations of defeating Russia on the battlefield. To achieve such an objective, the West would need to “provide hundreds of billions of dollars worth of support, something neither Washington nor Europe can realistically do,” according to the WSJ.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
