The US military in Europe is short of spare parts for combat units because of aid to Ukraine, according to a report to Congress by auditors from the Pentagon, State Department and USAID.
Some of the funds earmarked for the purchase of parts to repair military equipment were diverted to support Kiev. As a result, some units returned to their bases after a rotation with unpaid bills for spare parts.
U.S., European and African militaries have said the lack of resources is hurting not only efforts to maintain combat readiness, but also full-scale training and rehearsing military operational plans.
To address the lack of funding, the command cut spending on maintaining military bases and reduced the number of contractors. The resulting savings are expected to be channeled to the tasks needed to keep the troops ready for combat, the report said.