Winning Wars Requires Weapons-Grade Funding

America is confronting a harsh reality: China now commands the world’s largest navy (by ship count) and the Russians crank out millions of drones annually. The Chinese fleet is only getting larger while our fleet size is in retreat. Calling Beijing’s military buildup “staggering,” America’s top admiral in Asia recently informed Congress that China is building an astonishing six naval combatants to every 1.8 built by the United States. And the Russians are producing over 300,000 artillery shells per month, while we struggle to produce a meager 40,000 155 mm shells. While our adversaries churn out weapons at a breakneck pace, the United States continues to place orders at a peacetime tempo. This is not just a matter of budgets or bureaucratic squabbles but a foundational threat to national security.

The risk is clear: If our adversaries believe that the United States cannot sustain a high-intensity campaign, they may try to win one. This must be remedied immediately. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s investment in rebuilding the arsenal of democracy is a good start, and the effort must continue throughout the Trump 47 term.

About the Author

Mackenzie Eaglen

Mackenzie Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness.

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America is confronting a harsh reality: China now commands the world’s largest navy (by ship count) and the Russians crank out millions of drones annually. The Chinese fleet is only getting larger while our fleet size is in retreat. Calling Beijing’s military buildup “staggering,” America’s top admiral in Asia recently informed Congress that China is building an astonishing six naval combatants to every 1.8 built by the United States. And the Russians are producing over 300,000 artillery shells per month, while we struggle to produce a meager 40,000 155 mm shells. While our adversaries churn out weapons at a breakneck pace, the United States continues to place orders at a peacetime tempo. This is not just a matter of budgets or bureaucratic squabbles but a foundational threat to national security.

The risk is clear: If our adversaries believe that the United States cannot sustain a high-intensity campaign, they may try to win one. This must be remedied immediately. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s investment in rebuilding the arsenal of democracy is a good start, and the effort must continue throughout the Trump 47 term.

About the Author

Mackenzie Eaglen

Mackenzie Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness.