US military planners are increasingly concerned that weapons expended or shifted to the Middle East for the war with Iran have depleted stockpiles needed to counter potential threats from China and Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
Trump clashes with Hegseth – Report: Trump lashes out over state of U.S. munitions stockpiles
Officials told the newspaper that while neither a full-scale Russian attack on NATO nor a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is considered imminent, shortages of key munitions are creating vulnerabilities in Washington’s global military posture. Some stockpiles have fallen to levels described by officials as “beyond critical.”
The drawdown has reportedly been particularly acute in Europe and Asia, as air-defense interceptors and other weapons were transferred to the Middle East. Officials said the Pentagon may now be unable to fully execute existing contingency plans for defending Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
How did the US-Iran war influence the China-Taiwan conflict?
US European Command has also been forced to adjust operational planning as inventories of weapons including Patriot air-defense interceptors have fallen, the report said. The shortages come as US officials and lawmakers voice growing concern that Russia could test NATO in the coming years despite remaining heavily engaged in Ukraine.
Replenishing the weapons could take years, with US production struggling to keep pace both with American requirements and deliveries to allies including Ukraine. The strain has affected Patriot and THAAD interceptors as well as counter-drone systems, according to the report.
Pentagon eyes Gulf drawdown
The White House and Pentagon have rejected claims that the US is running short of weapons. “The United States Military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the Journal, while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said claims of US munitions shortages were “false.”