The US is expressing concern about challenges encountered while attempting to supply Ukraine
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has highlighted “vulnerabilities” within global supply chains, prompting the US Department of Defense to advocate for action by the Western military-industrial complex.
US industries and their allies have faced difficulties in meeting Ukraine’s requirements for weapons and ammunition, leading the Pentagon to argue for a need to “become more agile and resilient,” as outlined in the implementation plan for the National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), released on Tuesday.
“This implementation plan provides industry, global allies, and partners with clear guidance on the Department’s priorities for industrial capacity building,” Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary for industrial base policy, stated during a briefing with reporters.
According to Bill LaPlante, undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, the implementation plan is intended to “serve as a guiding framework for resourcing decisions and investments in the coming years,” encompassing aspects like informing budget priorities, determining the focus of research and development endeavors, and driving the Pentagon’s “engagement with industry.”
The plan details strategies to address shortfalls in essential chemicals, casting and forgings, microelectronics, and the industrial base required for hypersonic weapons, with an estimated $393.4 million allocated from Defense Production Act funding.
“There’s a real concern surrounding supply chain vulnerabilities,” Taylor-Kale emphasized, noting the existence of “adversarial sources within our supply chains” and, in some cases, the dependence on a single source for parts.
Another component of the plan involves bolstering domestic production of 155mm artillery shells with a multi-billion dollar investment, alongside modernization efforts for US Army ammunition plants and depots.
Among the six key initiatives outlined in the plan are investments to “onshore” the most critical components and materials, fostering collaboration with industries in allied nations, developing new capabilities using “flexible pathways,” and modernizing existing weapon systems, such as the nuclear triad. An additional initiative would prioritize protecting US intellectual property and safeguarding against “adversary investment.”
The Pentagon aims for the NDIS plan to inform policy in Washington regardless of the presidential election outcome in November. The military has requested $37.73 billion for implementing the strategy, part of the $849.8 billion budget sought for the 2025 fiscal year. More than 75% of this funding has been designated for missiles and ammunition, while approximately $4 billion would be directed towards the submarine industrial base.
A classified annex to the plan, containing more detailed information on vulnerabilities and proposed solutions, is currently being compiled and is expected to be finalized by year’s end, according to Taylor-Kale.
The US and its allies have channeled over $100 billion in weapons, equipment, and ammunition to Ukraine since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, while maintaining their stance that this does not make them a party to the hostilities. Moscow has repeatedly issued warnings about the potential for escalation stemming from these deliveries, asserting that the weapons provided will not alter the outcome of the battlefield.