Manchin Questions Defense Experts on Weapons Supply Chains, Backfilling Military Equipment for NATO Allies

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, questioned Ellen Lord, Former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and David J. Berteau, Chief Executive Officer, Professional Services Council on protecting American supply chains and backfilling military equipment for NATO allies against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“In the Ukraine war, we're supplying most of the armament that they need to defend themselves in Ukraine. If it continues for any period of time, say a year or longer, how does that threaten our security?” Senator Manchin questioned in part. “Are you all looking down the road knowing that we have to resupply ourselves for what we're sending over to Ukraine?...Is there any acquisition going on right now to replace immediately?...Of the NATO allies supporting in the same way we are in Ukraine right now, are we responsible for sending arms to them and replacing them free of charge or are they buying them?”