The American Armed Forces are equipped with all manner of combat-ready utilities for the need of national defense. Without these utilities, such as firearms, tanks, carriers, and combat aircraft, defending our home becomes an impossible challenge for our troops. One major problem that has been looming in the shadows is now being brought to light—there is a serious ammo shortage crisis affecting the U.S. military.
Is There an Ammo Shortage?
There is an ammo shortage that continues to affect the United States and in 2024. The issue is directly affecting the American military.
Things are so concerning that experts believe based on wargames in 2024, a war with a superpower could exhaust our entire supply in three or four weeks.
These reports aren’t new. The bipartisan commission presenting these findings is using information that has been in the ears of military leaders for quite some time now.
Stockpiles need to be restored with reports from years ago showcasing the difficulty of the U.S. military defending against an invasion from someone like China.
All of this has come into focus, even after increasing production for more ammo.
The U.S. ammo shortage is even more concerning when it comes to things such as anti-ship missiles.
These munitions may not even last a week against such an opponent.
Finally, experts have pointed to the shortage of ammo as an even more concerning subject. This is because our levels don’t even meet an acceptable level during peacetime.
While the United States is busy globally in varying capacities in multiple conflicts, we also aren’t under a direct threat from a major world power.
Going to war with a European or Asian major power would be a noted war period where much more would be needed for proper national defense.
How We Got Here
It can be easy to point to a few obvious factors and blame any one of them for the current ammo shortage but it’s a lot more complicated than any one issue.
For starters, a lot of people bought guns over the years following COVID-19.
This occurred for many reasons including the fear of increased government, more gun control laws, and other political factors.
While the increase in gun and ammo purchases did cause a shortage in the market, it’s hard to say how much this affected the military.
The U.S. military’s ammo shortage involves many types of munitions not available to the public, including artillery and advanced weaponry.
Some of these munitions continue to be provided to our allies in Europe and the Middle East.
However, even providing ammo to other nations isn’t the end all, be all of our issues.
The United States also simply isn’t manufacturing enough munitions. This is in part because The Pentagon isn’t buying enough ammo with munitions often being cut in compared to the other portions of defense spending.
Whether or not these reports generate more demand and cooperation along with reallocation through policymakers, remains to be seen.
However, it’s clear that more people are going to need to take some time to look at what reports, experts, and now wargames are all saying–there is an ammo shortage the U.S. can no longer ignore.
How the Ammo Shortage Affects Our Military
It’s one thing to think of the worst-case scenario, but there are other concerns about our military involving the ammo shortage in 2024. What about infrastructure and strategic positioning?
Furthermore, it takes a lot of rounds to keep our warfighters ready for what may come. Live-fire drills are necessary exercises, including various wargames, for operational effectiveness among each branch of the military.
Finally, other types of shooting can also affect the military and civilians alike. Having elevated ammo prices due to a shortage is affecting shooting teams, recruiting efforts, home defense, hunting, and more.
Fortunately, there are plenty of experts who have the power to reverse the ammo shortage.
The eyes of Americans will be on them in the election year and beyond to right the ship and maintain a strong national defense with munition capable of defeating any foe.
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Sources:
Wargames Shoe the U.S. Could Burn Through…,Yahoo!. Accessed August 2024. https://www.yahoo.com/news/wargames-show-us-could-burn-043435140.html
Global Conflicts Expose Dire U.S. Munitions Shortage, Real Clear Defense. Accessed August 2024. https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2024/01/03/global_conflicts_expose_dire_us_munitions_shortage_1002444.html
