WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is pressing U.S. defense companies to accelerate weapons production and expand manufacturing capacity as military operations have drawn down stocks of critical munitions, with contractors given 21 days to submit plans for faster deliveries and increased output.
Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg issued the directive to defense industry leaders last week, according to a memorandum obtained by The Washington Post. The memo calls for companies to identify measures to “drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities.”
Feinberg also said lengthy development timelines were no longer acceptable and asked companies to propose capital investments and facility expansions that could support higher production volumes.
The Pentagon's push comes after months of U.S. military operations against Iran and continued weapons support for allies exposed pressure on inventories of precision-guided weapons and air-defense interceptors. Reuters reported last week that the United States had used virtually all of its long-range precision missiles during the five-month conflict with Iran, including Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles.
The strain also extends to defensive weapons. Recent reporting has indicated substantial use of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors during the conflict, adding to pressure on manufacturers to replenish stocks.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Saturday that the department was focused on accelerating munitions acquisitions to provide “the weapons our warfighters need at the pace the threat demands.” He said the effort was part of a broader modernization initiative that began before the conflict with Iran.
The administration has already taken steps to expand production. In July, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth up to $58.6 billion for Patriot interceptor missiles, the largest such contract for the system. The Pentagon has also reached framework agreements with defense companies including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell to increase munitions production.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged defense contractors to increase output. At a defense summit in July, Trump told industry executives that the United States needed greater speed in weapons manufacturing as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East strained military inventories.
Defense companies have been expanding capacity, but rebuilding complex weapons production lines can take years because of specialized components, manufacturing equipment and supply-chain constraints. The Pentagon's latest directive seeks proposals that could shorten those timelines and increase sustained output.
The companies' 21-day deadline is expected to provide the department with plans for accelerating production and potential investments as it prepares future defense budget requests.
