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Navy seeks to diversify its arsenal in the face of ammunition shortages
U.S. Navy leaders are stepping up efforts to fortify their arsenal with new types of munitions, facing pressure to ensure an adequate supply for future conflicts. During testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, Admiral James Kilby, Acting Chief of Naval Operations, outlined recent operations in the Red Sea as a clear example of the burden on the nation's munitions industrial base. Kilby stressed the urgency of increasing production of precision-guided and long-range guided munitions, such as Tomahawk and Long Range Anti-Ship missiles, as well as heavy torpedoes.
Admiral Kilby also raised the possibility of diversifying suppliers to overcome current limitations: "I also think we need to look at other suppliers. They may not be able to produce to the same exact specifications, but they could produce a missile that is effective, which is more useful than having no missile at all."
This call to action comes at a critical time, as Congress is reviewing the Navy's FY 2026 budget needs. Concerns focus not only on gaps in the shipbuilding industrial base and delays in submarine production, but also on fleet readiness in general. However, ammunition shortfalls have captured particular attention, especially in the wake of recent military operations against Houthi forces in the Red Sea, where U.S. forces conducted more than 1,100 strikes over approximately five weeks, consuming about $1 billion in weaponry.
A Heritage Foundation report last fall, prior to the aforementioned operations, already warned that military efforts to resupply this type of munitions were too slow. For example, during FY2023, industry suppliers produced fewer than 70 Tomahawk Land Attack missiles. In a few months of skirmishes with Houthi forces in fall 2024, more than 125 such missiles were launched.
"God forbid, if we were in a short-term conflict, it would be short-term because we don't have enough ammunition to sustain a prolonged fight," warned Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the appropriations committee, during Wednesday's hearing.
Both Kilby and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan have indicated that they are working with traditional suppliers to accelerate the ammunition replacement process, although Kilby did not specify which other companies he is considering contacting or the expected timeline for those acquisitions.
"If we go to war with China, it will be bloody, there will be casualties and a lot of ammunition will be needed," Kilby said. "So our stockpiles need to be full." This is a stark reminder of the critical need to robust the Navy's ammunition capability to meet the challenges of an uncertain global landscape.
In the context of increasing global volatility, President Donald Trump's administration has proposed a base defense budget for FY 2026 that totals $892.6 billion. Despite the daunting figure, this amount represents a reduction in real terms, adjusting for inflation and other economic factors. This decision highlights a complex strategy of balancing maintaining a robust military and managing the nation's fiscal constraints.
The announcement has not specifically detailed the funds allocated to the Navy's budget for the same fiscal period, although the Pentagon has promised an increase in spending. The justification behind this budget expansion lies in the need to address new global threats emerging on different fronts, from cybersecurity to military influence in geographically strategic areas.
This budget adjustment raises questions about U.S. strategic priorities. While the promised increase in the Navy's budget suggests a focus on expanding and modernizing the fleet, the overall reduction in the budget in real terms could limit response and development capabilities in other areas. The defense and geopolitical community is awaiting more specific details clarifying how resources will be distributed and how this will affect the country's defensive posture on the international stage.
The balance between maintaining an advanced military force and prudent management of state resources is an ongoing challenge. With a rapidly changing global environment and the emergence of new forms of conflict and challenges, the effectiveness of this budget strategy will be crucial in determining America's position in the world. Anticipating and adapting to these global dynamics will be key to ensuring that the country remains a secure and respected leader in the international arena.
