In the name of economy, the Air Force has sacrificed its capacity to rapidly build munitions in a crisis, said Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove Friday. He told attendees of AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles that the loss of the “Rosie the Riveter” capability “is our own doing,” as USAF has demanded contractors pare their workforces, facilities, and capacity to the bone. Although there are about seven major defense contractors that technically can build munitions, USAF officials determined “as we have studied this” that those companies depend on just three subcontractors that provide the critical parts for all. “An industrial capacity is not there. We do not have an industry to produce munitions at the speed we need them,” said Breedlove. He added, “That scares me as much as anything.” Breedlove’s comments were in response to a question about NATO partners running low on munitions during the Libya action earlier this year.
Trump Says US Will Sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia
Nov. 17, 2025
President Donald Trump said he plans to sell F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, announcing his decision Nov. 17, a day before he meets the country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
