A recent Congressional report has raised serious concerns about the United States' ability to engage in a large-scale conflict due to significant deficiencies in military capacity.
Out of Sync
According to Lenta the report, presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee, highlights a troubling gap between the Pentagon’s ambitions and the current state of American military readiness.
The report emphasizes that the U.S. is unprepared for a major conflict, a situation reminiscent of the Cold War era, which ended 35 years ago. The current state of American defense capabilities is reportedly insufficient to confidently deter or win in a major confrontation.
Experts have pointed out that the Pentagon’s plans and the actual military potential are out of sync, with the U.S. lagging behind China in several key areas.
Deplete Ammunition Reserves in Four Weeks
One of the critical findings is that in a hypothetical conflict with China, the U.S. could deplete its ammunition reserves within just three to four weeks. This stark revelation underscores the urgent need for an overhaul in military readiness and resource management.
The report comes amid heightened tensions, as evidenced by recent military activities near U.S. borders. On July 26, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern over joint exercises conducted by Russia and China near Alaska. Although these exercises were not deemed an immediate threat, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had to scramble fighter jets to intercept four bombers—two from each nation.