Retired General Brick, who anticipated Hamas attack, highlights Israel’s critical dependence on the US for munitions

Retired IDF Major General Yitzhak Brick has raised serious concerns about Israel’s military readiness due to a significant shortage of ammunition and an over-reliance on the United States for military supplies. This situation places Israel at the mercy of the US Administration. Brick gained notoriety for predicting Israel’s vulnerability to attack by Hamas.

Maj. Gen. Brick’s statements bring to light the severity of this dependency: “All of our missiles, the ammunition, the precision-guided bombs, all the airplanes and bombs, it’s all from the U.S. The minute they turn off the tap, you can’t keep fighting. You have no capability. … Everyone understands that we can’t fight this war without the United States. Period.” This acknowledgment of Israel’s reliance on U.S. military aid underlines the nation’s vulnerability in times of crisis​​.

The situation has been compounded by the U.S. diverting resources to support Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. The depletion of the War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel (WRSA-I), a key reserve for Israel, has become a matter of concern. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) has been actively advocating for the replenishment and modernization of this stockpile, especially with precision-guided munitions (PGMs), crucial for deterring threats from Iran and its proxies​​.

In response to these challenges, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has entered into an agreement with Elbit Systems to bolster the IDF’s capabilities. This initiative reflects Israel’s efforts to enhance its military self-reliance, focusing on the production and innovation of artillery shells and other armaments​​.

Further emphasizing the strategic bond between the U.S. and Israel, the Biden administration recently approved an emergency sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition to Israel, valued at over $106 million. This action, bypassing Congressional review, highlights the ongoing commitment of the U.S. to support Israel’s military needs and maintain its qualitative military edge in the region​​.

In conclusion, Maj. Gen. Brick’s warning sheds light on a critical aspect of Israel’s national security — the need to balance between developing domestic military production capabilities and maintaining a strong, strategic alliance with the United States.

For more detailed information and further reading, please refer to the original articles:

• JNS.org on the depletion of US munitions stockpile harming Israel’s QME: JNS.org Article
• Center for Security Policy on Biden’s role in Israeli military operations: Center for Security Policy Article
• Middle East Monitor on Israel’s readiness for multifront war: Middle East Monitor Article
• OPB on the U.S. State Department’s approval of tank ammunition sale to Israel: OPB Article
• Breaking Defense on Israel’s purchase of artillery shells: Breaking Defense Article