Pentagon Demands Faster Weapons Production Amid Depleted Stockpiles

The US Department of Defense has ordered weapons companies to accelerate the production and delivery of critical missiles to refill supplies depleted during the ongoing war with Iran. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent a letter to industry leaders on Wednesday giving them 21 days to provide plans for higher production and faster delivery. In the letter, Feinberg stated that long development timelines are no longer acceptable and that the country must grow its production capacity immediately.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the authenticity of the memo. He stated that the effort is part of a broader plan to reform an outdated procurement system and increase the speed and capacity of the American defense industry. This push will help shape the 2028 defense budget request to Congress.

A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates a significant drop in missile interceptors. The think tank estimated that Patriot missiles fell from approximately 2,300 before the war to nearly 830 by the end of July. THAAD interceptors are estimated to have dropped from 452 to 278 in the same period. The report warns that low supplies could force the US and its allies to take more risks by firing fewer missiles at incoming threats.

President Trump has denied reports of a missile shortage, stating on social media that the US possesses massive amounts of weapons. Meanwhile, a defense spending bill remains stalled in Congress. Lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with military actions against Iran and are resisting a White House request to increase Pentagon spending to $1.5 trillion, up from roughly $900 billion last year.