Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are draining US air defense stocks

(CLO) The senior admiral overseeing US forces in the Asia- Pacific region said conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are weakening the US air defense stockpile.

"With the deployment of some Patriot missiles and some air-to-air missiles, our air defense stockpile is being eroded," Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo- Pacific Command, said at an event on November 19.

Admiral Sam Paparo's admission may attract the attention of members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration, who are more skeptical of the war in Ukraine.

The US Army's MIM-104 Patriots surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. Photo: Reuters

Mr. Paparo said the weakening of the air defense stockpile "reduces the readiness" of the US to respond in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Biden administration has been providing Ukraine and Israel with the most sophisticated air defense systems, while the US Navy has been directly protecting ships in the Red Sea from missile and drone attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

During the Ukraine crisis, Mr. Biden provided Kiev with a full range of defense systems, including Patriot missiles and the nation's advanced surface-to-air missile system.

Last month, the US deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and about 100 US service members to operate it to Israel. THAAD is a key part of the US military’s multi-layered air defense system.

In particular, with the US allowing Ukraine to use long-range ATACMS missiles to attack Russian territory in the near future, Washington's air combat arsenal will certainly continue to decline.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/xung-dot-o-ukraine-va-trung-dong-lam-hao-hut-kho-du-tru-phong-khong-my-post322126.html