This may explain ammo shortage
TAIWAN TO SUPPLY U.S. AMMO?
It's been an open secret for a while now that the U.S. military is running low on ammunition. But a new supplier may be emerging, if foreign press reports are accurate. America may start buying some of its bullets from Taiwan.
According to Taiwan's United Evening News, the Pentagon is preparing to buy 300 million rounds of 5.56mm caliber bullets, straight from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.
According to an unnamed top level military official, this marks the first time America has sought to purchase from the Taiwanese defense establishment. The official said that Taiwan seeks only to recover production costs on the deal, and that should any profit be made it would go towards factory expenses.
Production will take place at Plant 205 in Kaoshiung, which is part of the Ministry of National Defense's Bureau of Armaments and Acquisition. The absence of large-scale military conflict in the Taiwan region over the past decades has led to surpluses and storage problems at this facility. The gradual decline in demand has resulted in Plant 205 operating at a fraction of capacity, so the deal with the Americans will be like a deluge after a long drought.
The deal could be refreshing to U.S. military planners, as well. The shortage of small-arms ammunition is so severe that, about a year ago,the Pentagon contracted with an Israeli firm to supply the bullets. But Congress wasn't exactly psyched about how Al-Jazeera might portray Jewish State ammo being used on Muslims in Iraq. Taiwanese rounds may be less explosive, politically.
(Special thanks to Defense Tech pal Jonathan Schmidt for the translation
It's been an open secret for a while now that the U.S. military is running low on ammunition. But a new supplier may be emerging, if foreign press reports are accurate. America may start buying some of its bullets from Taiwan.
According to Taiwan's United Evening News, the Pentagon is preparing to buy 300 million rounds of 5.56mm caliber bullets, straight from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.
According to an unnamed top level military official, this marks the first time America has sought to purchase from the Taiwanese defense establishment. The official said that Taiwan seeks only to recover production costs on the deal, and that should any profit be made it would go towards factory expenses.
Production will take place at Plant 205 in Kaoshiung, which is part of the Ministry of National Defense's Bureau of Armaments and Acquisition. The absence of large-scale military conflict in the Taiwan region over the past decades has led to surpluses and storage problems at this facility. The gradual decline in demand has resulted in Plant 205 operating at a fraction of capacity, so the deal with the Americans will be like a deluge after a long drought.
The deal could be refreshing to U.S. military planners, as well. The shortage of small-arms ammunition is so severe that, about a year ago,the Pentagon contracted with an Israeli firm to supply the bullets. But Congress wasn't exactly psyched about how Al-Jazeera might portray Jewish State ammo being used on Muslims in Iraq. Taiwanese rounds may be less explosive, politically.
(Special thanks to Defense Tech pal Jonathan Schmidt for the translation
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quote:the Pentagon contracted with an Israeli firm to supply the bullets. But Congress wasn't exactly psyched about how Al-Jazeera might portray Jewish State ammo being used on Muslims in Iraq. Taiwanese rounds may be less explosive, politically.
WHO CARES IF THE BULLETS COME FROM ISRAEL??? I doubt the guy being shot with them will do any complaining!0 -
Open secret??? What does that mean...It's still a secret...but everyone know's about it??? Or is it really a secret. Is there a closed secret?? If so what does that mean.[:0] 0 -
We need to invest in pork laced 5.56 rounds. 0 -
While it's no secret that U.S. ammo manufactures can't keep up with the war demand (which I think should be re-reviewed by congress). Whats going to happen if we end up in a ground war with Iran?
"We are here to fight but don't have any ammo"[:(!]0 -
quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
Open secret??? What does that mean...It's still a secret...but everyone know's about it??? Or is it really a secret. Is there a closed secret?? If so what does that mean.[:0]
Its basically something everyone knows, but the officials in charge will not publicly acknowledge.0 -
I ran across an article, I think it was from the New York Times? - said that the real reason for the ammo shortage might just be that gun sales are really way up, and that America is arming itself...
Lots of states are easing the restrictions on CCW, and many are making it easier to be a "Normal citizen" with a gun...witness MO's relaxation of permits, etc...
Seems like a good thing to me.
I have had zero problems finding ammo for my guns, but I am not buying .223/5.56 fodder, and I "roll my own" ammo from components.
Prices have gone up, however.0 -
I can't believe that the good ol' US is having production problems.
I wonder, were ammo shortages the norm during WWII?
How about during Nam, where a gazzilion rounds were expended per enemy killed? Was there an ammo shortage then?
Why now with this conflict?0 -
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
I can't believe that the good ol' US is having production problems.
I wonder, were ammo shortages the norm during WWII?
How about during Nam, where a gazzilion rounds were expended per enemy killed? Was there an ammo shortage then?
Why now with this conflict?
because there is no shortage.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
I can't believe that the good ol' US is having production problems.
I wonder, were ammo shortages the norm during WWII?
How about during Nam, where a gazzilion rounds were expended per enemy killed? Was there an ammo shortage then?
Why now with this conflict?
WW II Everyone gave to the "WAR Effort" 180 degrees from today-0 -
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
I can't believe that the good ol' US is having production problems.
I wonder, were ammo shortages the norm during WWII?
How about during Nam, where a gazzilion rounds were expended per enemy killed? Was there an ammo shortage then?
Why now with this conflict?
Military spending cuts shutting down all of the military ammo makers other then LC has not helped things. Commercial makers are trying to help keep up but that is not a good answer. If the commercial makers are trying to kick out military ammo they will not be making as much other stuff. I do not believe there is as big of a shortage as is made out to be but I am sure it is not good. There is no reason military ammo should have any affect on surplus ammo many of us shoot. There is no reason the price should be up on the surplus ammo like it has since it was made 10,20, 30, ect years ago. I can understand some price increase but this is nuts. As long as people continue to pay the prices being charged now the prices will stay fairly high. I still buy a little ammo if I find a decent price or new guns I get but until things change I am not buying cases of .223, 7.62x39 or .308, 9mm, .45, ect like I use to. [:(]
Someday, maybe not real soon but prices will come down a bit and level just look at history. 7.62x39 was expensive and hard to come by in 1990, in the late 90's, early 00's it was $60-$70/1000. I am not sure it will ever be that cheep again but it wont be $170/1000 either and I will stock up again.0 -
quote:Ororiginally posted by Nwcid
As long as people continue to pay the prices being charged now the prices will stay fairly high.
Reminds me of something else and that thing is gasoline.
I am sitting on a couple thousand rounds of 7.62x39 and a case of 45, and some bits and pieces for the other calibers I own, haven't bought any ammo in a while in bulk. The only thing I have bought lately is the Blazer from wally world ($10 for 50rds) for the new .45
Prices are crazy, honestly I could sell my ammo and buy a new AR but then I would have to pay up the butt for ammo???? I don't think so, I'll just sit on the 7.62 incase crap hits the fan[;)]0 -
quote:Its basically something everyone knows, but the officials in charge will not publicly acknowledge.I was just kidding with him,lol.[:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by pitbud5
quote:Ororiginally posted by Nwcid
As long as people continue to pay the prices being charged now the prices will stay fairly high.
Reminds me of something else and that thing is gasoline.
I am sitting on a couple thousand rounds of 7.62x39 and a case of 45, and some bits and pieces for the other calibers I own, haven't bought any ammo in a while in bulk. The only thing I have bought lately is the Blazer from wally world ($10 for 50rds) for the new .45
Prices are crazy, honestly I could sell my ammo and buy a new AR but then I would have to pay up the butt for ammo???? I don't think so, I'll just sit on the 7.62 incase crap hits the fan[;)]
Gas and ammo are two very different things in this case. While I am sure most people would be more then happy NOT to buy gas you pretty much have to. Ammo is not a need like shelter, food, and transportation. Yes I know you need ammo for defense and practice and just in case but it is something you can live with out. I know there are forms of transportation that use less or no gas but that is not something that everyone can do.0 -
Chalk up the supposed ammo shortage as excuse number 5,563 as to why the war in Iraq isn't going better. It'll probably go right up there with "liberal that" and "Iran this."
"If we'd had the tools, we could've done the job! Oo-rah!"0
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