NYN | News
U.S. Admiral Daryl Caudle, nominee for Chief of Naval Operations, admitted that the Red Sea battle has severely depleted the U.S. Navy’s stockpile of precision-guided munitions—sounding the alarm over combat readiness in the face of escalating threats.
During a Senate hearing on Friday, Caudle confirmed that demand for munitions has risen to unprecedented levels in recent years, driven by conflicts in both Ukraine and the Red Sea. He emphasized the urgent need to expand production and strengthen the military-industrial base.
He further noted that unmanned combat systems—particularly drones—have proven highly effective, urging the U.S. to accelerate technological innovation and to develop hybrid units that combine manned and unmanned systems in order to boost lethality and deterrence.
Caudle acknowledged that transferring munitions to allies, as well as withdrawing some to support the war in Ukraine and defend shipping lanes in the Red Sea, has contributed to the stockpile depletion. He warned that poor planning and procurement shortfalls could expose the Navy to a dangerous capability gap.
The admiral pledged to increase the production capacity of critical munitions and revealed plans to analyze supply chains, integrate new suppliers, and expand partnerships with allies as part of a broader effort to rebuild the industrial base.
