Media: US military aid to Ukraine slows as stockpiles dwindle

US military aid packages to Ukraine have decreased recently due to dwindling stockpiles of weapons and equipment at the Pentagon.

This reduction is driven by concerns over US military readiness and the challenge of meeting high demand as arms manufacturers struggle to keep up, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Despite having $6 billion in allocated funds, the Pentagon is constrained by a lack of inventory. “It’s about balancing our stockpiles, Ukrainian requests, and our readiness,” an official said. 
The Pentagon has requested Congress for an extension to use these funds before they expire at the end of September. This request contrasts with last winter’s push for additional funding to support Ukraine.

The US is ramping up production of critical items like 155 mm artillery shells and Patriot missile systems to replenish both Ukrainian supplies and US stockpiles. However, meeting demand is a lengthy process, with production increases not expected to fully address the shortfall for over a year.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has noted the impact of these shortages, reporting slow deliveries of promised air defence systems and a significant shortfall in aid. Despite Congress approving an extra $13.4 billion for Ukraine in April, the Defense Department has struggled to utilize it due to inventory constraints.

Military aid packages have become smaller, ranging from $125 million to $250 million, compared to larger packages of $600 million to $800 million in previous years. Additionally, the US has faced delays in drawing supplies due to Congressional approval issues and is carefully managing the pace of aid delivery to avoid affecting military readiness and effective distribution.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has committed to maintaining support for Ukraine, announcing a new $250 million aid package and emphasizing the urgency of increasing production and speeding up deliveries as winter approaches.