'Ukraine, Middle East conflicts are depleting the US arsenal'

Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are depleting America's stockpile of air defense weapons, according to the commander of the US Indo- Pacific Command.

"With some of the Patriots deployed, some of the air-to-air missiles deployed, that's depleting the stockpile and it would be disingenuous to say otherwise," Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo- Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), said at an event on November 19, according to Reuters.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system

PHOTO: US ARMY/REUTERS

Mr. Paparo said that US air defense spending "compromises the military's readiness" to respond in the Asia-Pacific, especially when China is the most capable adversary in the world .

Admiral Paparo's admission could draw the attention of members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration, who are skeptical of the war in Ukraine and believe that incumbent President Joe Biden has failed to prepare for a potential conflict with China.

The Biden administration has been steadily arming Ukraine and Israel with state-of-the-art US air defense systems, and the US Navy has been directly protecting ships in the Red Sea from missile and drone attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen.

Regarding Ukraine, Mr. Biden has provided the country with a range of defensive weapons, including Patriot missile defense systems and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).

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

During his first term, Mr. Trump focused on the Indo-Pacific region and observers say this trend will continue in the upcoming term. At the same time, the president-elect is expected to reduce aid to Ukraine and urge European allies to play a bigger role.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xung-dot-ukraine-trung-dong-dang-lam-can-kiet-kho-vu-khi-my-185241120080954757.htm