US Army spends more than $500 million to replenish its missile stockpiles

News, US November 16, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Army has awarded a $521 million contract to one of the country’s largest defense contractors, Lockheed Martin, as it aims to replenish stocks of its Guided Multiple Launcher Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and other missiles.

After receiving approval from the U.S. Congress last month, the contract was awarded on November 14, 2022. U.S. army quoted the need to replenish its missiles stockpiles after supplying a large number of missiles and rockets to Ukraine for its war against Russia.

The United States has become one of the largest weapons suppliers to Ukraine since the Russian invasion started in February 2022. U.S. Army has provided anti-missile systems and aerial defense equipment from its own stockpiles which led to the current need for replenishment.

So far, the U.S. has committed more than $18.2 billion worth of aid for Ukraine since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. The United States has also announced more than $18.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since U.S. President Joe Biden took office, and since 2014, the United States has committed more than $21 billion in security aid to Ukraine.

In a statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante said that “these awards demonstrate the significant impact GMLRS are having on the battlefield as a vital combat capability for our international partners,” He further added that “They are great examples of contracting approaches we are using to more rapidly accelerate award timelines and ultimately deliver capability.”

Chief of the U.S. army acquisition department Doug Bush spoke in an interview last month stating that the U.S. Department of Defense is looking for swift and faster ways to go through with new contracts to replenish supplies. Many of the army’s existing supplies are heading to Ukraine. In his latest statement about the current contract, Bush said that the army remains “committed to getting things on contract as quickly as possible to ensure our stocks are rapidly replenished.”

*^{The Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

Lockheed Martin is one of the several U.S.-based defense contractors that have been actively trying to keep up with the supplies amid the ongoing Ukraine war. Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin also won a $176 million contract to replace the U.S. army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which are being supplied in abundance to Ukraine. HIMARS and GMLRS are playing a key role in Ukraine against Russia’s aerial attacks.

Due to its substantial success, Ukraine announced that it plans to buy 18 HIMARS, in addition to the 20 systems that the U.S. has sent to them. Apart from Ukraine, several other European buyers are looking to acquire the HIMARS systems to enhance their aerial defense capabilities. Last month, Lockheed Martin announced its plans to increase the production of HIMARS by 60% to meet the growing demand.