U.S. military aid to Ukraine is said to shrink amid dwindling stockpiles

U.S. military aid packages for Ukraine to repel Russia’s invasion have shrunk as the Pentagon faces dwindling stockpiles of weapons and equipment, CNN reported Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

The shortage leaves the Biden administration with $6 billion in funds to equip Ukraine, but the Pentagon is less willing to draw from its shrinking inventories. U.S. arms manufacturers are working to keep up with the demand amid concerns about the readiness of U.S. forces.

The Pentagon asked Congress for more time to spend the funds before the approval expires at the end of September, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told CNN.

The U.S. is increasing production of 155-millimeter artillery shells and Patriot missile systems to supply Ukraine and to refill U.S. inventories. The process will take years as defense contractors confront supply-chain constraints.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. made about 15,000 155-millimeter artillery shells a month. With expanded capacity, U.S. arms makers are now producing 40,000 shells a month.

It will still take more than a year for the Department of Defense to reach its goal of 100,000 shells a month, but the buildup is on schedule, CNN reported.