The following is the Sept. 16, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Defense Production for Ukraine: Background and Issues for Congress.
From the report
Since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. government has engaged in efforts to organize and expand the production of defense equipment for Ukraine-related purposes. To date, such purposes have included the direct provision of security assistance to Ukraine, the replacement of U.S. equipment already provided to Ukraine from existing stocks, and the expansion of U.S. and global defense industrial capacity.
Congress has played a role in these efforts, including by enacting annual and supplemental defense appropriations to fund Ukraine-related acquisition and industrial base investment programs; establishing or modifying authorities and policies relating to security assistance, defense procurement, and related activities; and overseeing the executive branch’s use of these funds and authorities.a
The Biden Administration contends that these attempts to mobilize the defense industrial base are critical to the effective battlefield performance of the Ukrainian military, as well as the realization of broader U.S. strategic interests. Partly as a result of these actions, since 2022, U.S. suppliers—which include both privately-owned defense contractors as well as government facilities and organizations—have increased the production of certain defense articles relevant to the conflict in Ukraine (e.g., artillery shells, precision-guided munitions, and air defense systems). Some policymakers and analysts argue that production challenges remain.
Potential questions facing Congress include:
- Do U.S. and global suppliers possess adequate industrial capacity to achieve congressional objectives regarding Ukraine?
- Is the executive branch’s use of Ukraine-related production authorities and appropriations meeting congressional intent?
- What has been the impact of U.S.-produced defense equipment on the conflict? Are U.S. suppliers providing the right kinds of capabilities to achieve congressional objectives regarding Ukraine?
Download the document here.
