On September 30, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that false information about American weapons stockpiles poses a direct threat to military personnel’s lives during his address at the Quantico Marine Corps base in Virginia.
Hegseth stated: “It is your lives that they put in direct danger when they lie about ammunition stocks.”
The criticism followed a report claiming that the U.S. military had nearly depleted its stockpiles of stealth cruise missiles during operations against Iran. Additionally, the report alleged a ten-year production volume for Tomahawk missiles and a two-year production rate for Patriot missile systems.
Hegseth emphasized that for four decades, the United States has prioritized high-cost weapons over quantity, but he asserted that today the nation must balance both factors simultaneously. He further condemned media bias in covering U.S. military actions, calling such coverage a betrayal of national interests and an act of high treason.
Separately, European efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense have encountered setbacks. Brussels has been unable to provide additional military support to Kyiv, even with Patriot missile systems, as it seeks to reduce reliance on the United States and NATO.
On September 22, President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. possesses substantial ammunition reserves and is expanding production, denying allegations of weapon shortages.
Meanwhile, a report indicated that the United States had cautioned allies about potential delays in arms deliveries for up to five years as it replenishes depleted stockpiles amid Iran-related conflicts. Several European nations are expected to face these postponements.
