The United States is set to begin outsourcing some weapons production to countries like Australia, Japan, Poland, and India after the military’s stockpiles have become dangerously low from supplying munitions to Ukraine and Israel, among other nations. Australia, specifically, will soon become a major supplier of artillery shells and multiple guided missiles for the U.S. military. The move to outsource U.S. weapons production directly contradicts claims by the Biden government that military aid for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel would serve to boost U.S. manufacturing jobs.
Australia has made significant investments in weapons manufacturing over the past few years in an effort to become a major hub for U.S. defense production. According to the Pentagon, foreign-produced weapons are still required to meet U.S. government specifications and standards. Most of the weapons produced in Australia will go to replenish U.S. stockpiles, be sent to Ukraine, or be sold to countries like Taiwan.
The Biden government has downplayed foreign weapons production as lawmakers on Capitol Hill have continued to debate a $95 billion foreign military aid supplemental funding package. President Joe Biden and his Democrat allies in Congress have insisted the legislation would serve as a boon for U.S. domestic manufacturing.
“While this bill sends military equipment to Ukraine,” Biden said in late February, before claiming: “…it spends the money right here in the United States of America in places like Arizona, where the Patriot missiles are built; and Alabama, where the Javelin missiles are built; and Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, where artillery shells are made.”
