Topic: Artillery Production

The Department of Defense is investing billions to increase artillery production by 500% over the next two years, the largest expansion since the Korean War. Undersecretary Bill LaPlante stated that the U.S. is scouring the globe for Soviet-era munitions while modernizing domestic plants. Historical comparisons show that while the Korean War-era budget was lower in absolute terms, a higher percentage of spending was directed toward ammunition compared to modern "junk" projects.

The European Union and U.S. face a crisis in supplying enough artillery ammunition to Ukraine, which consumes thousands of shells daily. Bottlenecks in steel production and raw materials are cited as primary issues. Some military officials suggest withholding advanced equipment like F-16s to ensure readiness for a potential conflict with China in 2027.