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The administration announced a munitions shortage and requested $67 billion to replenish depleted weapon stockpiles.

The administration announced a munitions shortage and requested $67 billion to replenish depleted weapon stockpiles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested the funds to address critical shortfalls in precision missiles, such as the Tomahawk and ATACMS, which were significantly depleted during the war with Iran. These shortages affect both domestic military readiness and international commitments. The Patriot missile system, a central component of the administration's Golden Dome homeland missile defense program, has seen its stockpile drop by approximately two-thirds since the Iran war began. This depletion has forced allies to seek alternatives, with some nations like Denmark and Switzerland considering other systems due to long delivery delays of four to five years. The administration's ability to sustain concurrent military assistance and deterrence commitments is constrained by current production rates. For example, Ukraine is currently running out of American-made Patriot missiles, which has led to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to plead with other nations to share their stockpiles. While the administration has cut off nearly all military assistance to Ukraine, the Patriot system remains a critical defense against Russian ballistic missiles.

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