Hegseth denies US munitions stockpile crisis despite earlier testimony that replenishment could take 'months and years'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday refuted the idea that the U.S. is facing a crisis with its munitions stockpile, despite testifying earlier this year that replenishing the stockpile could take “months and years.”
“That is a manufactured story that the media wants to peddle and ultimately our stockpiles are great, and they’re only getting stronger,” Hegseth said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
Weeks after the ceasefire began in the war with Iran, Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion budget request. During the April 30 hearing, Hegseth estimated that it could take “months and years” to replenish the stockpile as the Iran war had stretched on for months. Hegseth called the timeline “fast,” and he noted that the speed will depend on the weapon system.
Hegseth said at the time that “we’re building new plants in real time,” suggesting that production speed would increase, while citing depleted munitions levels left over from the Biden administration.
Pressed by Margaret Brennan on Sunday about his previous comments, Hegseth said “I speculated some munitions take more time than others.”
He added, “we’ve got lots of them.”
The Defense Department has not disclosed how many munitions have been used so far in the Iran war.
Tagged: U.S. Military BACK TO HOMEPAGE