WASHINGTON – The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are significantly depleting vital U.S. military stockpiles, potentially hindering the country’s ability to respond effectively to any military initiatives from China in the Indo-Pacific region, according to statements made by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s top official on Tuesday.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, expressed concern about the billions of dollars’ worth of air defense systems being supplied or sold to both Ukraine and Israel. He highlighted that such support now poses challenges in his ability to prepare for scenarios such as a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Reflecting on the situation, Paparo stated that up until this year, the primary type of weaponry engaged in the current conflicts comprised artillery and short-range weapons. He noted, “I had said, ‘not at all’” when initially queried about the impact of these wars on U.S. readiness in the Indo-Pacific. However, he now admits, “It’s now eating into stocks, and to say otherwise would be dishonest,” while addressing attendees at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
The military stance taken by China is also growing more assertive, especially regarding Taiwan. With a considerable military exercise involving 125 warplanes recently conducted, China has indicated that the annexation of Taiwan is viewed as a historical inevitability. Over recent years, the Chinese military has intensified its operations near Taiwan, conducting almost daily drills with naval vessels and aircraft around the island, which operates as a democratic entity. Despite the U.S. holding no official recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign nation, it remains Taiwan’s principal ally and is legally obliged to provide defense assistance.
As the war in Ukraine marks its 1,000th day since Russia’s invasion, the U.S. has delivered more than $60.4 billion in military aid. This support has included three Patriot air defense systems, over 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, ammunition, and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMs), which Ukraine has recently used against Russian targets for the first time.
In response to Iran’s missile strikes on Israel, the U.S. has actively deployed one of its limited Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems to the region, alongside approximately 100 personnel to assist in its operation. The U.S. has also been continuously supplying air defense munitions as Israel continues its military campaigns against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
The departing Biden administration has pledged to utilize the remaining $7.1 billion in presidential drawdown authority—which refers to arms taken from U.S. stockpiles—to deliver weaponry to Ukraine before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. An additional aid package is expected to be announced soon, according to officials.
However, the delivery of these weapons is constrained by the current inventory, as confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh. Paparo emphasized that the urgency of supplying military assistance to Ukraine and Israel has reduced U.S. ammunition reserves considerably. “We should replenish those stocks and then some,” he asserted. Furthermore, he expressed growing dissatisfaction with the amount of munitions available, increasing concerns about what he described as “magazine depth,” reflecting the munitions stored for future needs.
