Concerns about US arms stocks rose in July after the Pentagon halted delivery to Ukraine for several weeks during a “ability review” to ensure sufficient weapons for the US needs.
Houthis claims that US airstrikes killed 68 African immigrants in Yemeni prisons
Yemen’s Houthi rebels alleged that US airstrikes killed 47 people in prison housing where African immigrants killed at least 68 people and wounded 47 people.
Straight Arrow News
WASHINGTON – Senators have moved to quickly restock their Pentagon ammunition stockpile, citing concerns that have been severely exhausted by the Trump administration’s two-month bombing campaign against the Ukrainian war and the Houtsis in Yemen.
The Senate Budget Committee voted 26-3 on July 31 to approve a version of next year’s Defense Policy Bill.
“Recent operations in the Middle East show how quickly modern wars can eliminate our critical ammunition arsenal,” said Sen. R-Kentucky, chairman of the committee.
Sen. Chris Koons, a top Democrat on the Defense Subcommittee, told reporters it was one of the main areas that lawmakers want to fund more than the Trump administration demanded.
“Recent experiences like the counterhouch campaign in the Red Sea, for example, show how quickly we pass advanced ammunition,” Coons said.
“Responding to supplying Ukraine was a challenge,” he added.
Concerns about US arms stocks arose in July after the Pentagon halted delivery to Ukraine for several weeks during a “ability review” to ensure sufficient weapons for the US needs. Some lawmakers should not justify blocking Ukrainian weapons.
The Pentagon continues to classify its ammunition stock. That initial budget request included $2.5 billion to expand missile and ammunition production, plus $1.3 billion in “supply chain improvements,” the Department of Defense said.
The department said in a statement that it “has robust air defense capabilities to protect the personnel and interests of Americans around the world.” “While we won’t be in stock due to operational security, we can tell you that the DOD (DOD) is continuing to take stance to respond to any threat.”
Houthi attacks were burned through ammunition
President Donald Trump’s bombing campaign against Yemeni Hooty extremists — called Operation Raf Rider — has dented US stockpiles.
Less than two months later, the Pentagon spent at least $500 million in surgery on weapons, according to US officials who were not permitted to speak publicly. Adding operational costs and losses on multiple aircraft, the bill is over $1 billion. He also attacked Houthi’s targets with some of the US military’s most sophisticated weapons, said an official who was not permitted to publicly speak.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, Senate aides said the operation was burned out with hundreds of millions of dollars of weapons.
The Department of Defense has not informed Congress how much the surgery cost, an aide said.
During the course of the surgery, two F/A-18E planes, each valued at around $60 million, accidentally fell out of the aircraft carrier and sank into the Red Sea. Reports say Houthis also defeated nine MQ-9 Reaper drones. These costs total $270 million.
Trump suddenly severed the operation on May 6th, with the Houchis insisting that “they won’t blow up the ship anymore.”
It’s not how the conflict unfolded. Houthis last week attacked and sank a Greek cargo ship and allegedly blamed the missile launched into Israel’s Jaffa.
The Iranian-supporting group repeatedly attacked commercial vessels destined for Israeli ports on July 27, repeatedly pressuring Israel to lift the blockade and siege of Gaza.
Senators have zero air defense
The Senate Budget Committee hopes for $5.2 billion to buy more of these weapons out of the $7.3 billion increase in funding.
The remaining $2.1 billion covers the costs of raising sophisticated air defense production lines. The main ones are eager to find patriots and air defense interceptors, including THAAD missile systems, who can take ballistic missiles.
Patriots are playing an increasingly important role for Ukraine as Russian missile and drone attacks have increased to the highest strength in wars over three years.
Trump said he would send his name to Ukraine on July 13, saying that he needed patriots. European allies have also offered to fund Ukrainian weapons systems. Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky said that on July 25th, when Germany pays two systems, Norway will pay one.
Israel uses THAAD batteries provided by the US to protect against Iranian missile volleys, including during the 12-day aviation war between the two countries in June.
