RT.com
24 Nov 2022, 08:02 GMT+10
American weapons stockpiles have become increasingly strained after countless arms transfers to Kiev
The US military has declined to give an exact breakdown for billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine requested by the White House last week, saying it would not discuss funding to replenish domestic arms stocks amid reports of growing shortages. Asked about President Joe Biden's letter to Congress requesting an additional $37.7 billion in assistance to Kiev, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh refused to offer details.
"I would not be able to tell you how much of that... is going back to replenishment," she told reporters during a Tuesday press conference. "With every security assistance package that we announce, we assess our own readiness and capabilities and also what needs to be replenished."
Pressed on whether she could take the question back to the Pentagon and provide an answer later, Singh doubled down, insisting "I am not going to take the question because I'm answering your question."
"I just don't have a number or a dollar figure for you right now on what that looks like, and I don't think that's something that we would broadcast from here," she reiterated.
Though the White House previously said that $21.7 billion of the requested aid would be devoted to both "equipment for Ukraine" and the "replenishment of Department of Defense stocks," it did not specify how much would go to each.
Repeated weapon shipments to Kiev have taken a toll on the domestic stockpile. Earlier this week, the US Army's chief of arms acquisition, Doug Bush, said the military was accelerating its process to procure weapons in order to make up for shortages, though Pentagon documents recently seen by the New York Post suggested it will take "multiple years" to resupply the Army.
Even as early as March, just weeks after the conflict in Ukraine kicked off, the Defense Department was already scrambling to replenish thousands of shoulder-fired missiles supplied to Kiev. US arms transfers have only increased in the time since, with the Pentagon's latest fact sheet reporting more than $19 billion in direct military aid approved since February, including over 46,000 anti-armor systems, nearly 200 Howitzers, 38 long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and a litany of other heavy weapons, vehicles and ammunition.
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
GOP leaders are determined to advance Trump's signature agenda. But the bill's complexity, internal party fractures and Democratic...
Scientists have widely agreed that the persistent rise in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution is the primary driver...
BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week: 1. China's Wang Xinyu finishes runner-up...
The winning caption idea will be turned into a gameday sign for fans to use at Lambeau Field; contest winner to receive a trip to a...
Michael Hull Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. Next up, the...
A fast start would definitely go a long way Mike Spofford John from Jordan, MN I can't be the only one that noticed you missed...