US Admiral Warns Arms Shipments to “Israel” and Ukraine Could Weaken Readiness Against China
Admiral Samuel Paparo, the US Navy’s top commander in the Indo-Pacific, expressed concerns on Tuesday about the impact of US weapons shipments to “Israel” and Ukraine on the country’s ability to respond to China. Speaking at the Brookings Institution, Paparo highlighted that advanced weapons like Patriot missiles, sent to Ukraine and “Israel”, are depleting US stockpiles.
Paparo acknowledged that while earlier shipments primarily involved artillery and short-range weapons, the deployment of sophisticated systems like Patriots and air-to-air missiles has started to stretch the Pentagon’s resources. He stressed that these weapons, while not reserved for specific regions, are reducing the US’s “high-end capability” needed for the Indo-Pacific, where the threat from China is most pronounced.
To address the issue, Paparo called for increased investment in replenishing US munitions stocks. His warning reflects concerns raised in a recent congressional review, which pointed out the US’s potential vulnerability in a prolonged conflict with China or Russia. The report noted that the Pentagon could exhaust vital ammunition within weeks, urging a boost in arms production to ensure readiness for future challenges.
