It appears that the "insatiable " Ukrainian demand for artillery has exceeded Western expectations, and is now forcing the US to dip into its ammunition depots abroad to help Kiev prepare for the counteroffensive it is preparing to launch, against Russian forces, this spring, especially since some of Washington's allies began to hesitate, or at least seemed reluctant to supply sufficient ammunition to Ukraine.
The US military has begun withdrawing its supplies and ammunition from a number of locations outside its country, mainly in Israel, South Korea, Germany and others, according to US officials, in order to meet Ukrainian needs.
They also explained, as did senior congressional officials, that the first release of ammunition from these warehouses was at the end of last year, according to what was reported in the Wall Street Journal.
These sites, known as "ready depots," contain everything from trucks to bandages to support U.S. forces around the world.
Note that the United States supplied Kiev with approximately 160 howitzers and over a million 155mm shells.
Before the start of the Russian war, the US produced about 13,000 155 mm shells a month, but the number has jumped to about 20,000 shells this year, and Washington hopes to increase it to 50,000 by next year.
But regardless of current production and stockpiles, the US administration is still seeking to obtain additional artillery shells from countries that have large inventories, or are capable of producing large quantities, to support Ukrainian forces.