The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are facing major equipment shortages. The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, coupled with the intense training programs, the commitment of reserve units to combat, and the plans to increase U.S. ground forces by more than 92,000 troops are creating an increasing demand for new weapons, vehicles, and equipment.

The Army’s deputy chief of staff, Brigadier General Charles A. Anderson, recently told industry leaders that the equipment being provided to soldiers continues to improve, but costs are increasing and funding has to be on time and predictable for the troops to get the gear they need. Anderson said that, “To get equipment into the hands of soldiers, your funding has to be on time. Equipment today takes a long time” from time of contract to delivery.

Compared to procurement rates at the end of the Cold War, today the Army procures some 6,000 pieces of radio equipment per month compared to 233 in 1991; 6,700 M4 carbines per month compared to 717; 1,000 up-armored Humvees compared to 30; and 6,000 pairs of night vision goggles compared to 700.

Beyond the loss of equipment and vehicles in the war, and the expanding ground force,  the commitment of reservists -- on an individual basis and of entire units -- to combat demands that they have their full table of equipment. Also, the up-armoring of standard Humvees and trucks in the combat areas as well as in training organizations means that transmissions, shocks, and other vehicle components wear out at a prodigious rate.

Another concern is the increasing cost of vehicles, equipment, and individual gear.  General Anderson said that it costs more than $17,000 to fully outfit an individual soldier. For example, the various components of modern body armor costs almost $4,000 per set. More advanced armor is in the offing -- which will cost more. The next most expensive items for the rifleman is his M16A4 rifle -- $1,200.  And, the next most costly item is the ILBE (Individual Load Bearing Equipment) harness -- $415.