Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense, stating that the US has enough munitions for any scenario in the Iran war but warned that depleted inventories create a vulnerability for a potential Western Pacific conflict.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, presenting the Department of Defense budget request for the upcoming fiscal year.
The hearing, held in Washington, D.C. , focused on the readiness of U.S. military forces and the adequacy of munitions stockpiles amid ongoing conflicts. Hegseth, accompanied by Acting Under Secretary of Defense and Comptroller Jules Hurst III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, emphasized that the United States possesses sufficient munitions to address any plausible scenario in the Iran war.
However, he acknowledged that sustained operations have depleted inventories, creating a window of vulnerability for a potential conflict in the Western Pacific. This assessment aligns with a recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), which warned that while current stocks are adequate for the Iran theater, the drawdown exposes gaps that could be exploited by adversaries in Asia.
The CSIS analysis highlighted that the United States must accelerate investments in high-end munitions to deter or prevail in a major conflict, particularly with China over Taiwan. The Pentagon has requested significant increases in funding for precision-guided missiles, long-range strike capabilities, and advanced air defense systems. Hegseth stressed that the budget request reflects a strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific, as outlined in the National Defense Strategy, but noted that the military cannot afford to neglect other regions.
Lawmakers questioned the timeline for rebuilding stockpiles, with some expressing concern that production bottlenecks could delay replenishment for years. Hegseth responded that the administration is working with defense contractors to expand manufacturing capacity, including for critical components like solid rocket motors and guidance systems. The hearing also touched on the fiscal constraints imposed by the Budget Control Act, which caps defense spending unless Congress passes a waiver.
Hegseth urged the subcommittee to provide predictable, stable funding to avoid disruptions in procurement programs. Outside the hearing, defense analysts debated whether the munitions shortfall represents a temporary challenge or a systemic vulnerability. A RAND Corporation study released last month concluded that the U.S. would need at least five years to restore stockpiles to pre-conflict levels, assuming no major new threats emerge.
Meanwhile, Chinese military activity in the South China Sea has intensified, with naval exercises near Taiwan raising the risk of miscalculation. The Pentagon has responded by deploying additional carrier strike groups to the region and increasing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Hegseth emphasized that diplomacy remains the preferred path, but military readiness is essential to deter aggression. The budget request also includes funds for modernizing the nuclear triad, enhancing cyber defenses, and improving logistics in contested environments.
As the hearing concluded, Hegseth reiterated that the United States remains committed to its allies and partners, and that the department is taking all necessary steps to maintain a credible deterrent. The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to mark up the defense bill in the coming weeks, with debates likely over funding levels and prioritization of specific programs
US Defense Munitions Iran War Western Pacific China Taiwan
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