Pentagon gives defense firms 21-day deadline to speed up weapons output
Pentagon demands faster weapons production from defense firms amid depleted missile stocks and stalled budget talks.
The Pentagon is pressing defense contractors to dramatically accelerate weapons production, citing depleted stockpiles of critical munitions after months of conflict with Iran.
In a memo sent Wednesday, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg gave industry leaders 21 days to submit plans for "significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities." The memo, obtained by The Washington Post, warns that "years-long development cycles are not acceptable."
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the urgency on Saturday, saying the department is focused on acquiring weapons "at the pace the threat demands." He described the push as part of a broader modernization effort that predates the five-month-old conflict.
Recent fighting has sharply reduced U.S. inventories of advanced missile interceptors. According to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Patriot interceptor stocks have fallen from 2,330 before the war to an estimated 759–827 now — a drop of at least 65%. THAAD interceptors have declined from 452 to between 234 and 278, a reduction of at least 38%.
The shrinking stockpiles could force U.S. and allied forces to conserve air defenses, potentially launching fewer interceptors against incoming threats and increasing the risk of a successful strike.
President Donald Trump has pushed back on reports of shortages, posting on Truth Social that the U.S. has "massive amounts" of munitions and that more are being manufactured and shipped.
Parnell said Feinberg's memo is "real" and will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress. However, a defense spending bill remains stalled in Congress, with lawmakers resisting the White House request to raise Pentagon spending to $1.5 trillion from about $900 billion last year.