The United States sent so many of their Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, that their stocks are running out for possible use on their own, according to a study by the Center for Strategic and international studies.
US resupply with new weapons would take years, according to Mark Kanzian’s report, senior adviser with International Security Program at CSIS.
What is Javelin? This is a shoulder-fired anti-tank missile. made from U.S defense giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The rocket is a so-called “fire and forget”, which means that it itself aims at the target after launch, allowing the operator to take cover and avoid counter fire.
Use in Ukraine: Ukrainian forces used it to destroy effect against Russian tanks, nullifying what was considered Russia’s overwhelming advantage before the war.
It might also be very useful to US forces in any unforeseen conflict, but Kanchian said the Pentagon should keep an eye on on drawdown in his reserves.
“Military planners are probably starting to get nervous,” he wrote.
“The United States maintains stocks for diversity of possible global conflicts that may occur against North Korea, Iran or Russia itself. At some point, these stocks will go so low that military planners will doubt that the war plans may be executed. The United States is probably approaching that moment.”
Cancian estimates that between 20,000 and 25,000 Javelins may remain. in stocks and 7,000 systems shipped to Ukraine “represent one-third of United States total inventory”.
“It will take about three to four years to replace the missiles delivered so far. If the United States delivers more missiles to Ukraine, this time to replace the missiles,” Kanchian said.
Some context: BUT senior US defense official said on Wednesday bulk deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, including thousands of of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles did not affect combat readiness of US forces.
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