The US Navy has faced an unsustainable expenditure of high-end ballistic missile interceptors during recent air defense operations in the Middle East. Adm. James Kilby highlighted the need for cheaper alternatives to preserve critical munitions stockpiles, as the Navy has regularly engaged in air defense since October 2023 amidst increasing regional violence. Operations have involved intercepting missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels and Iranian forces. Kilby noted that the significant usage of advanced munitions was unexpected, and emphasized the necessity to rebuild munitions inventories by expanding interceptor production capacity through collaboration with the Missile Defense Agency and industry partners.
The Navy has regularly found itself in air defense engagements around the Middle East since a fresh wave of violence swept across the region in October 2023. In the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, American warships have shot down hundreds of missiles and drones that the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched at merchant shipping lanes.
Adm. James Kilby emphasized that while the Navy remains fully capable and ready to respond to any contingency today, the pace and volume of these high-end weapon expenditures were neither anticipated by the Navy nor the defense industrial base.
To counter the unsustainable expenditure of high-end ballistic missile interceptors, the Navy is seeking cheaper alternatives to preserve critical munitions stockpiles.
Kilby stated that the Navy is working with the US Missile Defense Agency and its industry partners to expand interceptor production capacity, which is crucial for rebuilding and sustaining munitions stockpiles.
#us-navy #ballistic-missile-defense #air-defense-operations #military-strategy #munitions-stockpiles
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