Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Putin on new sanctions against Russia: Russia's energy sector remains confident, though some losses are expected
Putin calls talk of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv an attempt at escalation
Putin says he discussed with Trump the impact of the situation with Russian oil supplies on global prices, including in the United States
Dialogue is always better than confrontation, disputes, or continued war: Putin
The global energy balance has been established, and disrupting it is not in the interests of the countries attempting to do so: Putin
Russia's contribution to the global energy balance is very significant: Putin
No self-respecting country does anything under pressure: Putin
New US sanctions are an attempt to pressure Russia: Putin
Israeli media: The West Bank 'annexation' law has been suspended under Netanyahu's directives until further notice
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Bekaa, eastern Lebanon: Number of martyrs in Israeli strike rises to two.

Pentagon preparing to amp up foreign arm sales, compete with China

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 14 Apr 2023 18:24
3 Min Read

A department spokesperson says that the challenge is to expand industrial capacity, but the State Department can do its part to ensure the process runs smoothly.

  • x
  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2022 at a press conference (AFP)
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2022 at a press conference (AFP)

According to Politico, measures are being prepared by the Pentagon and the US State Department in an effort to accelerate selling weapons to foreign countries. 

A Pentagon spokesperson, cited by Politico, stated that over 80 internal recommendations from a task force speeding up the sale process are being considered by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and some of these recommendations have already reached the level of possible implementation by the Pentagon policy chief.

The aim of the efforts is to compete with China and replace weapons sent to Ukraine as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also due to receive recommendations from the US State Department on ways to improve the sale process. 

Read next: US digs into its global shells stocks for Ukraine amid shortage: WSJ

A department spokesperson added that the challenge is to expand industrial capacity, but the State Department can do its part to ensure the process runs smoothly.

This update comes following comments from US Senator Roger Wicker calling on foreign military sales procedural reform. He expressed that the US has been taking its sweet time to deliver necessary weapons to allies.

He added that one reason for the reform was a $19 billion logjam of arms from the US for Taiwan.

Related News

Austin to announce $500 mln in weapons to Ukraine

9/11 suspects may avoid death penalty after Court reverses Austin

The US has been scurrying to get its cards right as it faces foreign competition both militarily and politically. 

CIA Director William Burns stated on Thursday that the US no longer has the ability to guarantee its role as the dominant global hegemon as the country has been witnessing critical juncture change "that comes along a couple of times a century."

The CIA chief explained that despite the fact that Washington "still has a better hand to play than any of our rivals," it is "no longer the only big kid on the geopolitical block and our position at the head of the table isn’t guaranteed."

The US is also facing more fear after Saudi conglomerate Ajlan & Bros's defense firm, Scopa Industries, which was aimed at US interests, shifted more towards Russian and Chinese direction.

According to Intelligence Online, the US branch of Scopa Industries, which intended to build foreign military materiel on Saudi soil, shut down on February 26.

Even the US arms manufacturing giant, Lockheed Martin, announced last month that it is unable to produce more than 10,000 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GLMRS) despite the increase of demand by some countries that want to replenish. 

At full capacity, the American arms company is able to produce 10,000 GLMRS annually and would need more machinery, skilled labor, and testing hardware to increase that capacity, according to the chief of business development at Lockheed Martin, Becky Withrow.

Read more: Saudi Defense firm Scopa drops US alliance, diverts to Russia, China

  • Lloyd Austin
  • foreign arm sales
  • US
  • Defense Secretary
  • Antony Blinken

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT
Politics

US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza peace plan
Politics

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza plan

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate.
Politics

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate

Artist’s rendering of the RADICALS satellite in orbit. (AP)
Technology

Europe firms agree on satellite merger to counter Starlink

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS