$3 billion accounting error means the Pentagon can send more weapons to Ukraine

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR 39 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has overestimated the value of the weapons it has sent to Ukraine by at least $3 billion — an accounting error that could be a boon for the war effort because it will allow the Defense Department to send more weapons now without asking Congress for more money.

The acknowledgment Thursday comes at a time when Pentagon is under increased pressure by Congress to show accountability for the billions of dollars it has sent in weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine and as some lawmakers question whether that level of support should continue.

It also could free up more money for critical weapons as Ukraine is on the verge of a much anticipated counteroffensive — which will require as much military aid as they can get. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously said the offensive was delayed because they did not yet have everything they needed.

The error was caused when officials overvalued some of the systems sent to Ukraine, using the value of money it would cost to replace an item completely rather than the current value of the weapon. In many of the military aid packages, the Pentagon has opted to draw from its stockpiles of older, existing gear because it can get those items to Ukraine faster.




Read more: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-costs-war-russia-weapons-884a9eefe32eee9ec611771cfe2a4642

[GryphonShouting]

1. Lotta Mixed Feelings in That Headline

I mean, on one hand, Slava Ukraini! On the other hand: pentagon accountants are so shit at their jobs that they can make a 3 billion dollar screwup and everyone is just like ha ha oh well.

[happybird]

3. +1

[ancianita]

34. With the Pentagon, accounting errors have reported $1 TRILLION simply "lost" during

Afghanistan years. That's $1 TRILLION per year. All the way back to Bush years.

This is where Biden can find money to pay off the debt and drop all negotiation.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/10/the-usd6-trillion-issue-you-wont-hear-about-at-the-debate.html

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/pentagon-audit-budget-fraud/

https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/want-cut-government-waste-8-5-trillion-pentagon-142321339.html

[Qutzupalotl]

2. We need to audit the Pentagon

like Chuck Spinney says. We used to. I'll bet there's a lot more where that $3 billion came from.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. first in, first out.

[RussBLib]

5. Just a clerical error

Sheesh

[hueymahl]

6. Accounting error my ass

This is all the sellers of death figuring out a way to line their pockets more. I guarantee this was driven by a bunch of ex-generals now working for Rayethon, General Dynamics, et al who didn't like that their current bosses couldn't make more weapons.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

12. You guarantee?

You have proof of that?
It may well be so, but you're "guarantee it" says that this is true, so, prove it with evidence.

[hueymahl]

25. Figure of speech my man

But there is ample evidence of past malfeasance on the record books. Many of it even documented by the pentagon, when they get around to pulling the heads out of their collective asses. Believing that it is not happening now is wishful thinking at best.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

28. So, no evidence?

What you say may very well be true given past "errors" by the Pentagon, but that doesn't prove that's the case here, the explanation given may be the truth.

The good news is that Ukraine can now get more weapons systems to help throw out the Russian invaders from their country.

[hueymahl]

29. We won't know about it for a decade or so

But you go ahead and keep cheerleading the pentagon and defense industry.

Even if the explanation is the truth, it is a dishonest accounting method for funneling more money into war. Those weapons are going to have to be replaced at far above the cost of what they now "say" they are worth. That is something you can not argue.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

30. Cheerleading the Pentagon and defense industry?

I never said nor did anything like that so I'll thank you to keep your words out of my mouth, I have no idea where they've been.

[hueymahl]

32. You seem to take issue with any criticism and demand proof

Maybe cheerleading is too strong a word, but you certainly are aggressive in making sure posters don't overstep their rhetorical bounds when talking about the military industrial complex. Or maybe it is just me you have an issue with?

Regardless, the defense industry and the pentagon has been proven repeatedly to make errors, and those almost always result in more money to the defense industry and more tax money being funneled to local districts that those same parties in the defense industry just happen to donate funds to. I don't think those are harmless errors. I think they are motivated by greed and corruption and lack of concern for human life.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

33. The only issue I have with you is you are accusing me of something I didn't do, nor say,

other than that, I'm sure we agree wholeheartedly on other issues.

Hey, you're free to express your opinions within DU's TOS, as is everyone else here, but occasionally, you will get push back, it's not personal.

Have a great Friday and weekend.

[ancianita]

35. The Pentagon admits it. Pretty much every single year.

[DURHAM D]

7. Call Buny Greenhouse now. nt

[Raine1967]

16. +1 nt

[Solly Mack]

8. Uh huh

[bluedigger]

9. You'd expect an organization that puts a number on everything to be better at counting.

[IronLionZion]

10. We're all assuming it wasn't intentional

it could have been their plan all along. The public would never know.

[Tree-Hugger]

11. Well...damn

I wish there was an accounting error that restored enough food stamps for us to feed our kids.

There is always money for war.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

22. Always money for war, the War Department and debt ceiling...pass?? Why??

[hueymahl]

26. Because war pays the bills

Everyone gets paid in a war. Politicians, weapons manufacturers, suppliers, mercenaries, smugglers, ex generals. Only costs a 10s of thousands of lives. Small price, right?

Pure evil.

[Grins]

13. An accounting method not an error

They used replacement cost for new instead of the value of older equipment previously bought.

It’s like you giving your 3-year old car to charity and taking a tax deduction equal to a new one.

Not earth shaking. Other way to look at it is that accounting method gave them a way to give even more to Ukraine!

[Alexander Of Assyria]

21. Yes, $850 Billion a year not near enough! More more more! More Guns for everyone!

The Pentagon is a fiscal disaster zone, always gets a pass. It’s a sick love of The Gun. Of any kind.

[dlk]

14. Merely a rounding error for the Pentagon...

I’m glad this will free up more funds for Ukraine.

[Linda Ed]

15. Let's remind them Pentagon Didn't Report $145 Million in Improper Payments and all this

With $8.5 Trillion Unaccounted for, Why Should Congress Increase the Defense Budget?

Related: How the Pentagon Cooks the Books to Hide Massive Waste
Pentagon Spends $1 Billion Destroying $16 Billion of Ammo.
U.S. Weapons Worth $500 Million Vanish in Yemen.
$1 Billion Paid for Loose Bolts and Damaged Aircraft.
Pentagon Didn’t Report $145 Million in Improper Payments.

https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/19/85-Trillion-Unaccounted-Should-Congress-Increase-Defense-Budget

[Alexander Of Assyria]

20. $3B is pocket change for the massive and unaudited Pentagon...also gets a pass

on the debt ceiling…why???

850 Billion a year of hard working taxpayers money goes unaudited and few seem to give a shit..America Loves the Gun, of any kind.

Cause the whole world is an American national security problem!?? Anyone ever look at a world map?

[Layzeebeaver]

17. it wasn't an accounting "Error"

It was more likely an accounting policy change.

Shit like this happens in all kinds of business environments.

Accounting is a creative art.

Personally, I consider this a "nothing burger" YOMV

[Ray Bruns]

18. We now go to the accountant responsible for the error.

https://www.google.com/search?q=homer+simpson+gif&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS1010US1010&oq=homer+simp&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j35i39i650j0i433i512j0i67i650j0i131i433i512l2j0i433i512l2j0i512j46i131i340i433i512.4379j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=oAzeX0p52JDtuM

[twodogsbarking]

19. Trump University grad no doubt.

[Mysterian]

23. I'm happy we are sending more weapons to Ukraine

They are fighting ferociously and audaciously against the murderous Russian invaders.

[Karma13612]

24. Interesting🤨

My biggest concern about this is that, they are just “re-costing” stuff. They didn’t just find $3 BN

When we need to replace these items, it WILL cost us more money. Soooo, is there enuf in their bloated defense budget to replace stuff? Can we afford to re-supply and rebuild when necessary? Ive heard we are getting low on some things. Worries me a bit.

[hueymahl]

27. Exactly

Hard to reconcile Democratic principles with love of war.

[tavernier]

31. OMG, I bet Trump is fuming.

I bet he figures that if he had known about that when he was in the White House, he could’ve skimmed those three bill off the top and into his pocket.