Pentagon urges arms makers to boost production as stockpiles dwindle

The U.S. Department of Defense is pressing defense contractors to accelerate weapons production and delivery, as critical stockpiles dwindle amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg communicated this urgency in a memo, demanding that industry leaders present plans within 21 days to boost output and expedite shipments of essential military hardware.

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The development cycles that take years are unacceptable.

Feinberg emphasized that the multi-year development cycles are no longer acceptable. He called for a full acceleration of production plans and an immediate expansion of manufacturing capacity. This directive comes as the Pentagon seeks to replenish its reserves of key systems, including Patriot interceptor missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems.

According to a U.S. think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), global reserves of Patriot missile systems have fallen dramatically from 2,200 units before the war to just 827. Similarly, THAAD system stockpiles have seen a sharp decline, from 452 units to 278. The Pentagon is also working to establish framework agreements with major defense contractors and technology firms to bolster production, though these deals are non-binding and contingent on Congressional funding.

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We must accelerate our production plans to the fullest and expand production capacity now.

Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, highlighted the issue, stating that "almost nothing is contracted, and this is the problem." The push for increased production underscores the strain on U.S. military resources and the challenges in maintaining adequate defense readiness during prolonged conflicts.

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Almost nothing is contracted, and this is the problem.