Pentagon spreads itself too thin, budget to arm Ukraine drying out
3 Min Read
Pentagon warns that the available budget for providing weapons and equipment from existing stockpiles has diminished to approximately $5.4 billion.
-
Airmen with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron use a forklift to move 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine, April 29, 2022 (AP)
In a letter to Congress obtained by AP, the Pentagon warned that funds designated to replace weapons sent to Ukraine are dwindling: revealing that resupply efforts for some troops are already being impeded.
Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord has detailed the financial strain, indicating that out of the $25.9 billion initially allocated by Congress to replenish US military stocks supporting Ukraine, only $1.6 billion remains. Additionally, the available budget for providing weapons and equipment from existing stockpiles has diminished to approximately $5.4 billion.
McCord urged Congress to swiftly replenish funding for Ukraine. He emphasized the immediate need to secure resources, stating, "We have already been forced to slow down the replenishment of our own forces to hedge against an uncertain funding future." McCord emphasized that failure to replenish the military services in a timely manner could jeopardize the readiness of the U.S. military.
McCord added that without additional funding now, the US will have to delay air defense weapons, ammunition, drones, demolition, and breaching equipment that are “critical and urgent now as Russia prepares to conduct a winter offensive.”
President Joe Biden emphasized on Sunday that although assistance will continue for the time being, there is a growing sense of urgency due to the limited time available.
"We must ensure that America's support for Ukraine remains uninterrupted at all costs. We do have some time, but it's rapidly running out," Biden stressed.
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that if the aid does not continue, the resilience of Ukrainian forces will gradually diminish.
Cancian stated, "If there isn't a fresh infusion of funds, they will start feeling the impact around Thanksgiving."
The current funding legislation passed by Congress is set to expire in mid-November, and McCord expressed concerns about the Defense Department reallocating funds from this temporary bill to provide additional aid to Ukraine, considering it a risky move.
Read more: Without US support, Ukraine stands no chance in war: Ukrainian MP
Earlier today, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reiterated Washington's unwavering support for Ukraine to Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov. The call aimed to address Ukrainian concerns over the omitted funds for Ukraine in the stopgap spending legislation which was passed as a compromise in Congress to delay government shutdown.
Despite bipartisan support in the Senate, the stopgap spending bill, approved just before the Saturday deadline to avert a government shutdown, did not allocate additional funds for Ukraine to appease House Republicans.
Read more: ‘Not a single round for Ukraine’ Slovakia’s Fico wins parliament
