Posted on 04/21/2024 11:38:58 AM PDT by SpeedyInTexas
Congress is facing the most significant and transformational opportunity to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) since the end of World War II. The heritage equipment that the United States has provided to Ukraine for its self-defense in the face of the brazen and illegal invasion by Russian forces in 2022 needs to be replenished to ensure the United States is postured to continue to deter its adversaries. The new hardware will be produced at factories across the nation. Of the $113 billion appropriated by Congress to date related to the conflict in Ukraine, as much as $68 billion is destined to be invested here at home. U.S. support for Ukraine thus offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to sustain a demand signal to address long-standing weaknesses in U.S. DIB systems generally and ordnance and missile production specifically. Examining how U.S. military assistance to Ukraine is being spent and where funds for the U.S. industrial base relevant to Ukraine and future U.S. needs are being invested can help demonstrate how Russia’s war can establish a long-term incentive structure to revitalize the DIB.
Prior to the war in Ukraine, policymakers recognized the need to shift away from a defense posture focused on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency to one prepared to confront rising great power competition. This was articulated in the National Security Strategy adopted by the Trump administration in December 2017. The strategy specifically highlighted the need for a robust and innovative DIB and noted supply chain vulnerabilities. Recognition of the challenges did not result in rectification, as the attention of policymakers pivoted to crises including the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic political unrest, and the end of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. In the face of the continuing supply chain vulnerabilities, these policies were sustained in the Biden administration’s 2022 National Security Strategy”
(Excerpt) Read more at csis.org ...
The MIC is the right-wing version of public labor unions.
The money quote on the congress vote
“How Supporting Ukraine Is Revitalizing the U.S. Defense Industrial Base”
(and congressional graft)
Very little is actually manufactured domestically. Most, even a lot of Defense products; are only assembled here with parts sourced internationally with a generous amount coming from China.
Millions of military age males pouring over an unsecured border is not immigration but an invasion. Protecting the country from invasion is one of the primary responsibilities of the government.
Obviously the government has not problem with relying on so-called enemies for petroleum, strategic materials, finished parts and man power.
Cool, glad some rich guys in DC are filling their coffers off dead Ukrainians filling their coffins.
You don’t have to tell me about the border problems and immigration, and that isn’t the topic here.
The thread is “How Supporting Ukraine Is Revitalizing the U.S. Defense Industrial Base”
You should be happy at the improvement but instead the improvement seems to be making you angry.
Of course I’m angry, we are told that we have imminent threats on the horizon and that it is imperative that we spend tons of money that we don’t have in order to to meet them.
Notice the lack of specifics in the article on anything other than the amount of money involved? It talks about ramping up the Ukrainian production of 155mm shells, but not the expansion of the US production of anything. Articles I have seen talking about this state an increase of up to 100% that would not come close to the current usage of munitions or equipment due to the number of active war zones.
If the government truly believed that China or Russia was a threat to the US, wouldn’t they be encouraging the building of more factories and securing supply lines that don’t rely on the enemy du jour or any of their associates?
Notice the lack of specifics in the article on anything other than the amount of money involved? It talks about ramping up the Ukrainian production of 155mm shells, but not the expansion of the US production of anything.
Here you go:
Poland receives green light for $15 billion Patriot missile systems buy
Poland’s weapons-buying spree just keeps on going, with a multibillion-dollar battle command system that will be used to support the country’s Patriot missile defense program poised to become the latest major purchase. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department issued a statement announcing initial approval of the $15 billion deal. The acquisition is part of the program’s second phase and involves an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System and a wide array of supporting equipment, including 48 Patriot M903 launch stations, hundreds of advanced missiles and assorted launchers and sensors. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the State Department said in a statement. In addition, the sale will improve coordination with the U.S. military, since American forces use the same air defense system, the statement said. The sale, which requires formal congressional approval, comes after several other major weapons purchases by Poland, which over the past several years has become a major force in NATO. Poland’s push to upgrade its military has intensified over the past year in the wake of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this week, Poland welcomed its first batch of Abrams tanks, which arrived Tuesday. In upcoming months, nearly 400 Abrams tanks will be incorporated into the Polish army. Apache attack helicopters, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and F-35 fighter jets are other major weapons systems that Poland is adding to its arsenal.
Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2023-06-29/poland-patriot-missiles-10587786.html
Source - Stars and Stripes
Oh, see! Some good news! Some people are making a lot of money off of US taxpaying workers.
Oh, wait, SOSDD. Nevermind.
Abrams tanks in Ukraine are 40 years old, and so have negligible value if viewed as depreciable assets. They are surplus and should have been replaced long ago.
The DOD and FedGov are very dumb about this issue, which is one reason why the Defense Industrial Base is not where it should be.
Moral principle - if the Ukrainians want to fight for their country, that is a moral thing. Their struggle meets all the conditions of St. Thomas Aquinas for a “just war” in his Summa Theologica.
The US Defense Industrial Base is not a matter of greed, but a necessary part of the US strategic posture. It is clear that a major war will use vast numbers of missiles, especially, and that this requires permanent investments. It cant be just wished into existence at need.
Prior to WWII, we were not only increasing the size of the Army and Navy but also defense production and we still took it in the shorts for the first 1.5 years we were in the war. I doubt we will have that luxury if this expands into open conflict.
Hmmm. Death threats may (may, I’m not committing myself here) be against posting rules.
“we are told that we have imminent threats on the horizon and that it is imperative that we spend tons of money that we don’t have in order to to meet them.”
Fiscally, this is the absolute truth. Vast expendifures are coming up that will make anything to do with Defense look like small change. Social Security and Medicare (and all other medical spending) are about to slam the budget like nothing has since WW2.
Nobody here talks about it, nobodys hair is catching fire.
>>>>Hmmm. Death threats may (may, I’m not committing myself here) be against posting rules.<<<<
Well, sashay over to the mods, Senor Superior Filipino.
What’s stopping you? Hmmm?
“There is nothing in that article talking about the expansion of production capacity”
Thats what they mean by DIB (Defense Industrial Base). Thats what adding production lines means. Adding machinery and especially knowledgable personnel. This IS defense production.
We are building new factories and updating old ones, we are increasing production.
This is an example for the 155 shells while also updating and increasing the existing sources for 155 shells.
“The Army is building three new production lines for 155mm artillery ammunition in Texas, the Pentagon has confirmed, which are each expected to be in operation and producing 30,000 projectile shell bodies per month by the end of 2025.”
“What’s stopping you? Hmmm?”
Human kindness. I’m a fool that way, probably. I feel rather sorry for you lot in fact. Life is probably hard, and this behavior seems to be a sort of outlet.
We were here for dinner and I’m feeling rather content.
And its a short walk from home.
That is because Marxist Democrats don’t have any interest in our defense and industrial base. President Trump will be fixing that in a few months, thankfully.
Any government spending is beneficial to the powers that be.
For that matter so is any consumer spending, infrastructure investment, issuance of debt, etc. Any economic activity.
That is WHY they are the powers that be. Broaden your horizons.
It is not just about adding production. There now is a will to solve obsolescence issue on various weapons due to increased demand. 2 years ago, too often these obsolescence issues were ignored as not being critical or just legacy weapon problems.
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