"It is clear that the UK and its NATO Allies have allowed ammunition stockpiles to dwindle to dangerously low levels…This inability to replenish UK stockpiles therefore puts at risk not just our ability to resupply Ukraine but also to counter any threat to our own security," the committee said in a report.
The UK government should address the issue of workforce shortage in the defense industry and carry out significant orders so as to ensure the stability of supply chains in the long term, while replacing munitions reserves in the short term, according to the defense committee.
Lawmakers also urged the government to annually report on the implementation of the defense, security and industrial strategy and produce an action plan on how it intends to increase production and reduce time to replenish arms stockpiles.
Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with various types of weapon systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine. A significant part of the assistance comes from the countries' weapons and munition stockpiles, with a number of Western officials raising concern that they could eventually run out of arms reserves if defense production is not boosted.
Previously American military analyst David T. Pyne stated that some weapons sent to Kiev could take US "nearly half a century" to replenish.