2023 Defense Budget Authorizes DoD To Stock-Up On Artillery, Missiles

The new National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2023 includes provisions to help replenish the Pentagon’s stockpile of artillery shells and missiles, reports the Defence Blog.

Under the defense bill released this week, the Pentagon is permitted to begin buying and using multiyear contracts to procure 1,700 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles and 700 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.

The move comes as Western munition stockpiles have been increasingly depleted by supplies to Ukrainian forces, which have been burning through large quantities of ammunition in its war against Russia's unprovoked invasion.