New Report Issues Dire Warning on American Stockpile Problems

In a protracted war with China, the United States could exhaust its munitions stockpile in as little as three to four weeks, as revealed by a new report highlighting the significant challenges Washington would face in any future global conflict.

The bipartisan 114-page report, published by the Commission on National Defense Strategy created by Congress in 2022, warned that the United States is unprepared for sustained conflict against either Russia or China individually or both powers simultaneously.

Business Insider’s Matthew Low reviewed the report and found that many of the commission’s findings were not new insights but a compilation of previous research. The report included testimonies from officials, turning their warnings about the nation’s preparedness for war into recommendations to address Washington’s major issues.

A commission reported that the US has small and inadequate ammunition stockpiles. This issue has worsened since a 2022 report from the Center for a New American Security highlighted it. According to the report, the US lacks the necessary weapons and munitions to defend against an invasion from major powers like China.

The military has focused on longer-range weapons but is underinvesting in capabilities to counter China in various scenarios. The Department of Defense isn’t purchasing enough of these weapons to counter an initial invasion nor stockpiling enough precision-guided munitions for a protracted war.

The munitions shortage has persisted for two years since the report was published. The issue has continued even after the U.S. defense industry intensified its production efforts to help supply Ukraine against Russia. The commission’s report explains that the United States would largely exhaust its munitions inventories in a conflict with China in three to four weeks.

Critical munitions like anti-ship missiles could last only a few days in a conflict with China, which concerns the commission due to limited stockpiles. The U.S. defense industry is in poor shape, with insufficient capacity to meet the country’s needs in peacetime, let alone during a major global conflict.

The commission’s report highlighted the inadequacy of US industrial production in meeting the equipment, technology, and munitions needs. It recommended that the Department of Defense shift its focus to meet the new technological realities of modern warfare.

“The DoD needs to make fundamental changes in response to new threats and technology. The commission warns that DoD is currently operating too slowly given the urgent nature of the threats. The United States should spend its resources more effectively and efficiently to build a future force instead of perpetuating the existing one. Whether this advice will be taken seriously in Washington remains to be seen.

James 1:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

James 1:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Revelations 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.