United States Indo-Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo, has warned that conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are gradually depleting America’s stockpile of weapons. He stated that the US military not only needs to replenish its stock but also increase its “magazine depth” to prepare for potential conflicts with China in the Indo-Pacific region.
On Tuesday, November 19th, Admiral Paparo expressed his concerns at a public event hosted by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.
During the discussion, Admiral Paparo was asked whether the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have affected the US military’s readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Admiral Paparo replied, “So far this year, most of the weapons used have been artillery and short-range weapons, so I say it hasn’t affected at all.”
“But now, as some Patriot missiles and air-to-air missiles are being employed, it is eroding our stockpile,” added Admiral Paparo, “To say otherwise would be dishonest.”
The Biden administration continues to arm Ukraine and Israel with advanced air defense systems. In the face of missile and drone attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, the US Navy has been protecting shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has just passed its 1,000th day, during which the US has provided Ukraine with over $60.4 billion in military aid, including three Patriot air defense systems and missiles, over 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and their ammunition, the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), among others.
On Tuesday, Ukraine used the ATACMS system inside Russian territory for the first time.
The US also regularly delivers anti-aircraft ammunition to Israel. Last month, the US deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Israel and stationed around 100 US troops to operate it. The THAAD system is a crucial component of the US’s layered missile defense system.
While safeguarding shipping in the Red Sea, the US military has been consuming various ground-to-air and air-to-air ammunition, including SM-2, SM-3, and SM-6 ship-based air interception missiles, as well as AIM-9X and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles.
“We should replenish these stockpiles and then add some more,” Paparo said. “I have been dissatisfied with the magazine depth before, and now I am even more dissatisfied with it.”
His mention of “magazine depth” refers to the quantity of ammunition reserves.
Paparo’s remarks may draw attention from President-elect Trump and his incoming administration members, who have adopted a more cautious approach towards aiding Ukraine and believe that the Biden administration has not sufficiently focused on readiness for potential conflicts with China.
Before Trump took office, the Biden administration utilized $7.1 billion remaining in the President’s Drawdown Authority (PDA). The PDA authorizes the direct extraction of military aid materials from US weapon stocks. According to US officials, the Biden administration is expected to announce another round of aid packages this week.
In recent years, China has increased military pressure on Taiwan, including a large-scale military exercise involving 125 aircraft in October. China has repeatedly stated that it does not rule out using force to unify Taiwan.
Like most countries, the US and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, but the US remains Taiwan’s primary international partner. According to US law, the US has an obligation to provide Taiwan with means of self-defense.