DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Pentagon gives defense executives 21 days to present plan for rapid weapon development - report

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Pentagon has given US defense industry leaders 21 days to present plans for rapidly escalating weapon production and delivery.
  • This directive comes amid reports of dwindling US stockpiles of critical munitions, including long-range missiles.
  • The White House has also been urging defense contractors to lobby for increased defense spending.

The Pentagon has issued a stark directive to US defense industry leaders, demanding they submit plans within 21 days to dramatically accelerate weapon production and delivery schedules. The urgency stems from escalating reports of critical munitions shortages within US military stockpiles, particularly concerning highly accurate long-range missiles like the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).

Years-long development cycles are not acceptable. We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.

— Steve FeinbergDeputy Defense Secretary's directive in a memo to defense industry leaders.

Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg communicated this mandate in a recent memo, stating that "years-long development cycles are not acceptable" and emphasizing the immediate need to "dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now." Sources familiar with the data indicate that the US has utilized "virtually all" of these specific long-range missile systems.

Reports have emerged suggesting a potential conflict between President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the extent of these shortages, with Trump reportedly unaware of the diminished stockpile. However, White House officials have strongly disputed claims of shortages and any internal conflict. Trump himself posted on social media, asserting that "The US has massive amounts of 'munitions'" and that White House officials stated he was "extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing."

The US has massive amounts of 'munitions'.

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump's statement on social media regarding US stockpiles.

Adding to the pressure, the White House has actively engaged the defense industry to advocate for increased military spending. Defense contractors were summoned to the White House in July for meetings with top officials, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Defense Secretary Hegseth, where they were encouraged to use direct lobbying efforts to secure greater defense appropriations. The Defense Department has already initiated several framework agreements with companies to boost its supply of various munitions and air defense systems.

He has never blamed Pete. This is all about the leakers.

— White House officialAn official's comment to CNN disputing reports of conflict between Trump and Hegseth.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog