A M1A2 Abrams tank on a training exercise at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. (Nathan Franco/Fort Irwin Operations Group)

WASHINGTON — Roughly $1.8 billion in Army ground combat equipment is “deteriorating or at an increased risk of deterioration” due to improper storage, according to a Defense Department audit.

A report conducted by the department’s inspector general released Monday uncovered how the Pentagon stores and maintains components of the Army’s land weapons and equipment. The report highlighted issues at two distribution centers controlled by the Defense Logistics Agency, or DLA, responsible for $1.96 billion in repair parts and components. The DLA’s distribution division handled $3.87 billion of Army ground combat gear as of July 2022, according to the report.

Spare parts stored at these facilities support some of the Army’s key weapons such as Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Stryker armored vehicles and Abrams tanks.

“We found that nearly $1.31 billion (67%) in parts and components are in immediate danger of degrading and that the improper storage and care of parts and components created safety hazards that could potentially lead to injuries among DLA personnel,” DOD Inspector General Robert Storch said in the report.

In total, $1.8 billion, or 92%, of the inspected equipment was deemed at “increased risk” of falling apart because DLA storage facilities failed to follow Pentagon policy.

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