Congress must act quickly to fix U.S. munitions shortfall, says defense experts

A long-standing weakness in America’s defense industrial base is now manifesting as a severe shortage of missiles, interceptors and unmanned systems. Critics trace the problem to Robert McNamara’s Vietnam-era procurement reforms, which reduced competition, and to successive budget reductions under the Obama and Clinton administrations that shrank shipbuilding capacity. A July study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that more than half of the already-thin inventory has been expended in the ongoing Iran war.

While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has struck framework deals with innovators such as Anduril, CoAspire and Zone 5 to fast-track cheap air-launched cruise missiles, Congress has stalled emergency spending, citing concerns over Israel and opposition to President Donald Trump’s Iran stance. The article argues that without swift legislative action, the U.S. risks being unprepared for larger threats, including a potential Chinese move on Taiwan, and calls for broader reforms to streamline R&D licensing and reduce procurement red tape.