Presidential memo warns fragile supply chains could jeopardize US munitions readiness
The White House has warned War Secretary Pete Hegseth about the need to ramp up U.S. weapons production.
A new presidential determination warns that constraints in the U.S. munitions industrial base may pose a “direct threat” to national defense preparedness — even as Hegseth has publicly pushed back on claims that the U.S. is facing a weapons shortage.
"In particular, systemic constraints in the munitions industrial base, including limited production capacity, fragile supply chains, long-lead dependencies, and related production bottlenecks, may impair the ability of the United States to produce, sustain, and expand the availability of munitions, missiles, and equipment required for the national defense."
- Presidential Determination
The June 11 memorandum, scheduled for publication in the Federal Register, says systemic problems in the munitions industrial base — including limited production capacity, fragile supply chains, long-lead dependencies and production bottlenecks — may impair the country’s ability to “produce, sustain, and expand” the availability of munitions, missiles and equipment required for national defense.
The determination comes after Hegseth denied that the U.S. is facing a munitions stockpile crisis, calling that claim a “manufactured story” and saying U.S. stockpiles are “great” and “only getting stronger” during an appearance on CBS's “Face the Nation.”
Hegseth has also said there is “no shortage” of U.S. munitions tied to American operations against Iran, arguing that U.S. defensive and offensive stockpiles allow the military to sustain the campaign as long as needed.
But the presidential memorandum points to industrial-base vulnerabilities that could affect the nation’s ability to replenish and expand critical weapons supplies. It delegates authority to the Secretary of War under Section 708 of the Defense Production Act to provide for voluntary agreements and plans of action to help support the national defense.
The determination, listed as Presidential Determination No. 2026-15, was filed June 16 and is scheduled for publication June 17.
FOX Business Network White House Correspondent Edward Lawrence contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack
