Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment

It is an open secret that the West doesn’t have the munitions for the mission of deterrence. While some work is underway to fix the problem, much more needs to be done. ⬇️

Impact of limited munitions stockpiles on U S defense capabilities

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The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report ‘Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment –  The Challenge to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base’ is a must read (link to the article in the comments). Based on a series of CSIS facilitated war games focusing on a Taiwan conflict, the CSIS has deduced that the US and key allies would exhaust the majority of munitions within weeks of conflict commencing.

The U.S. Industrial Base Is Not Prepared for a Possible Conflict with China

To deter a potential conflict with China, the United States must act quickly to resolve key challenges in its industrial base.

“The U.S. defense industrial base is not adequately prepared for the international security environment that now exists. In a major regional conflict—such as a war with China in the Taiwan Strait—the U.S. use of munitions would likely exceed the current stockpiles of the U.S. Department of Defense”

While Australia has plans to expand onshore munitions manufacturing in niches such as the GMLRS and Naval Strike Missile, we’ll be joining the same queue as the US and other allies. CSIS estimated the production timeline of some of the key missiles we’d be relying upon ⬇️

1️⃣ Javelin anti tank missiles – 29 months

2️⃣ PrSM – HIMARS long range missiles – 18 months

3️⃣ JASSM air launched cruise missile – 24 months

4️⃣ LRASM air launched cruise missile – 24 months

Australian Strategic Policy Institute produced a quick summary of the ADF’s planned missile acquisition that we’ll add to the comments. Note there are no plans for onshore production of any of these types of missiles as yet – so we’d also be relying on resupply by air or sea after Australia’s orders are prioritised to be fulfilled.

There is no doubt that onshore manufacturing capability of select munitions will greatly enhance the ADF’s preparedness for large scale operations. It would also be prudent to provide additional sources of production for the US and our partners in region – history tells us Australia was the key source of supply for many of the consumables of combat in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.

A guide to Australia’s planned strike missiles | The Strategist

Australia is planning to acquire a remarkable variety of strike missiles-weapons designed to hit distant surface targets. They will differ in capabilities and will variously be carried by aircraft, ships and trucks. Despite the differences, …

Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment

The U.S. defense industrial base is not adequately prepared for the international security environment that now exists. In a major regional conflict-such as a war with China in the Taiwan Strait-the U.S. use of munitions would likely exceed the current stockpiles of the U.S. Department of Defense.

#munitions #missiles #manufacturing #sovereigncapability #preparedness