The U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) has ordered defense companies to increase production and delivery rates to replenish munitions stocks depleted following the war with Iran.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg asked companies in a memo sent to defense industry executives on Wednesday to prepare plans within 21 days to increase production capacity or bring forward delivery dates.
Patriot and THAAD stocks decline
Replenishing stocks of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors is among the Pentagon’s priorities. The global inventory of Patriot missiles has fallen from approximately 2,200 before the war to below 827, while THAAD stocks have declined from 452 to below 278.
Feinberg said that development processes lasting years were unacceptable, calling for program timelines to be significantly shortened and production capacity to be expanded immediately.
Agreements depend on congressional funding
Framework agreements are being pursued with major defense companies and technology firms to support the production increase. However, the agreements are not binding, and their implementation depends on funding provided by Congress.
Missile defense expert Tom Karako said the central problem was that very few contracts had been signed so far.
Directive to shape 2028 budget
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Feinberg’s memo and said the directive would guide the preparation of the fiscal year 2028 budget to be submitted to Congress. Parnell said the initiative aligned with efforts to rebuild the U.S. defense industrial base.
The production increase plan emerged as a $1.15 trillion defense spending bill awaits consideration in Congress. Delays to the bill could also postpone funding for efforts to rapidly expand weapons production.
