Secretary of War Pete Hegseth clashed with CBS host Margaret Brennan on Sunday over claims of a shortage in US weapon stockpiles. Hegseth stated that America’s stockpiles are ‘great’ and ‘only getting stronger.’ However, Brennan countered that there is a ‘crisis with those stockpiles right now in private industry.’

Testimony Before Congress

Hegseth had previously testified before Congress that it could take ‘months and years’ to rebuild military stockpiles depending on the specific weapon in question. Brennan reminded Hegseth of his testimony, but he responded that the media is ‘manufacturing’ the story of a stockpile shortage.

An April report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that US forces used large shares of several critical munitions during the air and missile campaign against Iran. The report estimated that more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and over 1,000 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) were used. Patriot interceptor use was estimated between roughly 1,060 and 1,430 missiles — more than half of the US prewar inventory.

Exact US munitions stockpiles are classified, and the figures in the report are estimates derived from Pentagon budget documents, historical procurement data, and reported battlefield usage. Hegseth dismissed concerns over the stockpile shortage, stating that ‘we’ve got lots of them’ and ‘we’re building more than ever before.’

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.