Relocation of US arms from Europe may expose vulnerabilities in US global military posture - report

Some officials described the situation as “beyond critical,” with arms moved to the Middle East from stockpiles in Europe and Asia creating shortages that could take years to replenish.

Military planners in Washington worry that dwindling munitions stores may reduce the US’s ability to defend against potential threats from Russia and China, according to a Friday Wall Street Journal report citing US officials familiar with the matter.

While the officials noted that Western military officials have assessed that full-scale attacks from Russia and China are not imminent, they told the WSJ that insufficient weapons stockpiles have left vulnerabilities in the US’s global military posture.

Some officials described the situation as “beyond critical,” with arms moved to the Middle East from stockpiles in Europe and Asia creating shortages that could take years to replenish.

Administration officials have reportedly assessed that due to weapons being moved out of Asia for use in the war with Iran, the US may not be able to fully carry out contingency plans to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion.

Low levels of Europe-based defense assets raise concerns over defense against Russia

The officials highlighted that European-based defense assets, including precision strike munitions and interceptors, have reached low levels.

Stockpiles of Patriot air defense interceptors, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, and counter-drone systems are among the arms impacted by the shortage created by the relocation of munitions, the officials added.

US European Command, according to the WSJ report, has been forced to adjust its operational plans because of dwindling munitions inventories on the European continent. 

Some lawmakers stated that they are increasingly concerned about Russian hybrid and drone attacks and a Pentagon review of US military posture in Europe that could lead to a reduction in American troops in the region.

Following intelligence assessments that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attempt to test NATO’s resolve within the next few years, US Senator Roger Wicker (R - Mississippi) urged the posture review to “account for a wounded Putin lashing out.”

As weapons have been used and relocated, the US has also reportedly struggled to produce enough munitions to replenish its own stockpiles, in addition to allegedly limiting the amount of arms sent to Ukraine and Washington’s allies in Europe.

White House, Pentagon deny concerns over weapons stocks

US President Donald Trump and his administration declined to discuss with the WSJ which weapons have been moved to the Middle East and how many remain in Europe and Asia.

The Trump administration has repeatedly denied reports regarding the arms shortages, insisting that the US has sufficient supplies to continue fighting Iran and to combat other global threats.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the WSJ that “the United States Military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also denied the reports, saying “claims of US munition shortages are false.”

Despite Washington’s insistence that there are no concerns regarding the stock levels of essential arms, the US has turned away from military strikes against Iran and has instead intensified efforts to force Tehran to make a deal through economic pressure.