Pete Hegseth tells Senate Armed Services munitions stockpile replenishment could take months and years

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Senate testimony earlier this year that the United States faces a munitions stockpile shortfall and that replenishing depleted inventories could take “months and years,” according to a CBS News report on his appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The report, citing Hegseth’s testimony, focuses on Hegseth’s effort to respond to claims that the Pentagon’s assessment of stockpile readiness was overstated or driven by messaging rather than operational realities. In that exchange, Hegseth characterized the controversy as a “manufactured story,” while describing the practical challenge of rebuilding ammunition production capacity and resupply schedules.

Hegseth’s remarks were delivered in the context of Congress’s oversight of the Department of Defense’s readiness and procurement posture, including how quickly the military can replenish key munitions categories after sustained demand. The CBS report says he warned that restoring stockpiles is not simply a matter of placing orders, because production pipelines and deliveries are constrained by manufacturing lead times.

The report describes Hegseth telling senators that the process of replenishment would likely require extended timelines. According to CBS, he said it could take “months and years,” framing the issue as one affected by industrial capacity, procurement execution, and the duration required to convert orders and production output into fielded resupply.

The testimony adds to a broader congressional focus on how munitions availability affects operational planning and readiness. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have repeatedly pressed defense officials for clarity on inventory levels, production surge timelines, and how the department prioritizes ammunition procurement across current operational needs and future contingencies.

CBS reported that Hegseth’s “manufactured story” comment and his discussion of the replenishment timeline are part of his effort to address skepticism raised in the policy debate over whether the Pentagon’s concerns reflect near-term constraints. The next steps for the committee, as with other defense oversight matters, would be to continue asking for updates on procurement plans and delivery schedules as the department’s stockpile rebuilding efforts move forward.