The conditions this story describes are not sufficiently appreciated, as far as I can tell.
Various pro-Ukraine/anti-Russia commentary here in the Forum conveys to my mind a post-WWII confidence that the U.S. military industrial complex can gear up production to meet any global military threat. Having worked in that very industry for decades (as a business development specialist) I tend to an optimistic view of American manufacturing prowess, as well.
But when a SECNAV warns that supply chain realities may force the Navy to make us-versus-them decisions, my optimism fades. In my experience, time lags between military wish and military wish fulfillment cannot be eliminated. And because of those time lags, the risk is very real that arming Ukraine could lead to being unarmed ourselves should that war escalate.
It doesn’t matter that we can fight any war against any foe, no matter what. It does matter, however, whether we are ready to fight that war when it starts.
Tidewater News and Opinion Forum 
“I wouldn’t say we’re quite there yet, but if the conflict does go on for another six months, for another year…”
I think “crisis” is overblown. A concern that needs attention, sure. Nothing new, really. There were discussions last year about the US and NATO stockpiles.
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RE: “There were discussions last year about the US and NATO stockpiles.”
Yes there were. In fact, I shared a report on the subject here in the Forum last June:
https://tinyurl.com/3sd9etzf
Then, as now, respondents were dismissive.
I think the average American doesn’t know how war works. They imagine that body counts and territorial gains are the important measurements, but in reality force preservation and resupply are the keys to success.
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“They imagine that body counts and territorial gains are the important measurements”…
I find it interesting that YOU used such claims early on (and later, too) to prove that Russia was winning.
So are you an average American? Or the smartest man inn the room?
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I’m the smartest man inn the room, obviously.
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How did I know you would remove all doubt. Of course, you STILL used the same claims about body counts and territorial gains, yet, out of convenience, you ignored THAT part of my post.
Jackass.
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RE: “Of course, you STILL used the same claims about body counts and territorial gains, yet, out of convenience, you ignored THAT part of my post.”
You are misinformed. I have disputed body counts and territorial gains that other commenters have posted, but I have been consistent in highlighting logistics and tactics as better ways to understand the battlefield. Just go back and look at my posts, including the one I mentioned to Mr. Rothman, above, and especially this one I posted yesterday:
https://tinyurl.com/2pt86p7k
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You have disputed Ukrainian claims on body counts and territorial advances. You have trumpeted those put out by Russia.
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More looking for a reason to stab Ukraine in the back.
There is no better use for munitions than stopping fascist aggression. Far better than growing obsolete in a DOD warehouse.
One thing that any rational person has learned from the invasion of Ukraine is that Russia’s conventional war capability is a “paper tiger.” They can talk the talk, but they cannot walk the walk.
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A rational person would take SECNAV’s comments at face value.
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I am a rational person. I am sure that there is an issue accurately described by the Navy. I come down on the side of stopping fascist aggression NOW so long as Ukraine continues to ask for our help and is willing to fight.
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I come down on the side of recognizing that we don’t have the resources or capacity to arm Ukraine forever.
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We don’t need to arm Ukraine forever. Just long enough for Putin to stop his illegal immoral invasion.
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Uh, why do you hate America? You side with the fascist election-meddling aggressor and you don’t think OUR economy along with those of our NATO allies can overpower Russia’s puny failed state?
It is not a question of resources – we have them – it is a question of priorities and will.
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RE: “It is not a question of resources – we have them…”
SECNAV says we don’t. Why don’t you accuse HIM of supporting Russia?
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RE: “We don’t need to arm Ukraine forever. Just long enough for Putin to stop his illegal immoral invasion.”
What makes you think we can do that? Maybe you think you know more about our resources than SECNAV?
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You talked about forever. I talked about reality.
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“SECNAV says we don’t. ”
He is looking at the small picture. I am talking about the big picture. The NATO economy vs the Russian economy.
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RE: “I am talking about the big picture. The NATO economy vs the Russian economy.”
Right. The theoretical NATO economy vs the real Russian economy. Your “big picture” is a fantasy, especially since the U.S. is the primary supplier of arms to NATO.
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“Your “big picture” is a fantasy.”
With all due respect, you are an idiot. A useful idiot.
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RE: “With all due respect, you are an idiot.”
And yet, YOU are the one who can’t support his own statements, but must resort to name calling.
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https://globalpeoservices.com/top-15-countries-by-gdp-in-2022/
Russia is the 11th largest economy by GDP at around 1.5 Trillion.
US is around 20.5 Trillion. Germany, UK, France and Italy add up to about 11 Trillion.
If Russia has some sort of shadow economy, it it would have to be enormous since it GDP is 1/20th of major NATO countries, never mind all the other nations.
Russia may be relying on a war of attrition by artillery. And it is having a devastating effect on many small towns, infrastructure, and a few cities, no doubt. But conscripts and prisoners along with Iranian and N. Korean weaponry are not sign that Russia is prevailing. Even if they take an Oblast or two, keeping them will be a very high hurdle even if they had a well trained military. Just look at our adventures in Iraq when occupation time arrived.
Europe does not want a wounded bear on its doorstep. Ukrainians definitely do not want to return to Russian rule after its horrible history with Stalin, then USSR, and now Putin. I see no reason to let Putin succeed in expanding his Russian empire.
IMO
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Only an idiot demands evidence that the combined U.S. and NATO economies dwarf the economy of Russia. Only an idiot responds to that fact by calling it a fantasy. So, yes, Mr. Roberts, on this subject and many others, you are an idiot. The beginning of wisdom is to know thyself. Just trying to help.
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