RT.com
02 Jun 2023, 13:44 GMT+10
The Pentagon's inspector general has found that equipment stockpiled in Kuwait hadn?t been properly maintained
Some of the weaponry that the US military provided to Ukraine to help battle Russian forces was not ready for combat - leading to delays in deployment - because it hadn't been properly maintained, the Pentagon's inspector general has found.
The weapons in question had been 'prepositioned' in Kuwait, one of seven such stockpiles globally, but required repairs before they could be sent to Ukraine, the US Department of Defense (DOD) inspector general said in a report issued last week. "We identified issues that resulted in unanticipated maintenance, repairs, and extended lead times to ensure the readiness of the military equipment selected to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces."
The US military used its so-called drawdown authority dozens of times last year to provide more than $18.3 billion worth of stockpiled weapons and ammunition to Kiev. The aid was drawn from stashes called 'army prepositioned stock', or APS, which are supposed to be kept ready for immediate use in case of emergencies.
In the case of the Kuwait-based gear that was designated for Ukraine, all six M777 howitzers and 25 of the 29 M1167 armored vehicles weren't "mission-ready," according to the inspector general's report. Repairs were required before the US European Command could send the equipment to Ukraine.
In some cases, a contractor had to strip parts from other equipment to meet a deadline for making repairs to the Ukraine-bound gear. The IG recommended that the US Army beef up its inspection procedures and factor in the amount of lead time required when tapping APS stockpiles for Kiev.
The audit on which the report was based is still ongoing; however, the Pentagon watchdog announced its preliminary findings on concern that "issues with poor maintenance and lax oversight" could lead to future delays of weapons shipments to Ukraine. "In addition, if US forces needed this equipment, they would have encountered the same challenges," the report said.
The US and its allies have committed nearly $65 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia began in February 2022, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said last week.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Iran Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iran Herald.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks made strong gains on Monday, brushing off concerns Donald Trump's surprise ambush of Iranian nuclear...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites has cast a shadow over global markets, with investors bracing for...
SANTAREM, Brazil: As Brazil cements its position as the world's top soy exporter, a new wave of deforestation is spreading across the...
ZURICH, Switzerland: A wave of central banks across Europe surprised markets last week by lowering interest rates, responding to easing...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. economy is performing reasonably well, but Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces a difficult decision...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has granted TikTok another reprieve, extending the deadline for its Chinese parent company,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites has cast a shadow over global markets, with investors bracing for...
Western support for Israel's right to strike Iran backs up a pattern of pre-emptive violence that critics say is further eroding international...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump how bowed to pro-Israel elements in his administration and Congress, announcing that the...
WASHINGTON, DC - In a bid to defuse speculation, U.S. President Donald Trump says he will make his decision on whether to have the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A quiet shift inside the Trump administration has stalled a key diplomatic initiative aimed at pushing Russia toward...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: As violence escalates between Iran and Israel, Tehran is turning to its Gulf neighbors to help broker a ceasefire —...