Pentagon urges defense firms to speed up weapons production amid munitions shortfall

The Pentagon has asked U.S. defense companies to submit accelerated production plans within three weeks, aiming to replenish depleted munitions stocks used in the recent conflict with Iran. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg wrote to industry leaders demanding "significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities," warning that "years-long development cycles are not acceptable."

Spokesman Sean Parnell said the effort is part of a broader modernization program that predates the five-month-old war and will be reflected in the fiscal year 2028 budget. He emphasized the need to provide "the weapons our warfighters need at the pace the threat demands."

Analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned that the loss of advanced missile interceptors, including Patriot and THAAD systems, could force U.S. and allied forces to take greater risks in air-defense operations. Their estimates show Patriot interceptors fell from 2,330 before the conflict to between 759 and 827 after the April ceasefire, a reduction of at least 65 percent. THAAD interceptors declined from 452 to roughly 234-278, a drop of about 38 percent.

President Donald Trump responded to reports of shortages on his social platform, claiming the United States has "massive amounts" of munitions and that production and shipments are ongoing. A defense spending bill that would raise the Pentagon's budget to $1.5 trillion remains stalled in Congress.

"Years-long development cycles are not acceptable," Feinberg wrote. "We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now." "The weapons our warfighters need at the pace the threat demands," Parnell said.