The Pentagon’s proposed 2023 budget lays down a large-scale replenishment of ammunition of various types.

The annual U.S. Defense Policy Bill, or National Defense Authorization Act, allows the Pentagon to replenish stockpiles of missiles, projectiles, and launchers.

In particular, 1,700 MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missiles were included in the plan.

The document emphasizes the production of ATGM, MANPADS, artillery ammunition and missiles, as well as their precision versions.

According to the text of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023, the United States plans to purchase:

• 2,600 Harpoon anti-ship missiles;
• 1,250 Naval Strike anti-ship missiles;
• 3.850 PAC-3 MSE anti-aircraft missiles;
• 5,600 FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS;
• 28,300 FGM-148 Javelin ATGM;
• 5,100 AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range aircraft missiles;
• 5,100 AIM-9X short-range aviation missiles;
• 950 stealth long-range LRASM anti-ship missiles;
• 3,100 JASSM stealthy air-launched cruise missiles;
• 1,500 multipurpose SM-6 missiles;
• 864,000 XM1128, XM1113, M107 and M795 155 mm shells;
• 12.050 155 mm Excalibur precision shells;
• 12,000 JAGM multipurpose ATGMs;
• 700 new HIMARS rocket launchers;
• 1,700 ATACMS ballistic missiles;
• 106,000 GMLRS precision missiles for M142 HIMARS systems.

This is presumably the consequence of the hostilities experience in Ukraine, as well as the need to replenish the Armed Forces of Ukraine and supply new weapons.

Defense budget

The committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate released the compromise text of the US Defense Budget Bill for 2023 on December 6.

The text agreed to allocate $45 billion more than the Biden administration’s initial budget request.

Thus, the total amount of the US defense budget for the next year could be $857.9 billion. Also, the document says that US lawmakers plan to allocate at least $800 million for additional security assistance for Ukraine.

In addition, through the defense budget, the United States plans to allocate funds to support Taiwan and counter China and Russia, as well as increase salaries for military personnel and civilian Pentagon employees by 4.6 percent.

At the same time, the document calls for increased spending on a number of key weapons systems.

On Monday, December 5, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shared that this week, Members of Congress should consider the defense budget in the House of Representatives, and the Senate trial should begin next week.