Pentagon presses defense firms to build weapons as Iran war depletes stocks
Contractors have 21 days to submit plans as depleted missile stockpiles prompt the Pentagon to demand faster delivery schedules, officials said.
- On Wednesday, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg ordered defense contractors to "drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities" within 21 days.
- The Defense Department mandate follows reports that the military launched more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in the first month of the Iran war, rapidly depleting critical stockpiles.
- Feinberg rejected "years-long development cycles" as unacceptable, writing "we must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now." The 21-day deadline requires submission of accelerated production plans.
- President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed depletion reports, stating the United States has "massive amounts" of munitions and warning that "leakers" will face "long-term jail sentences."
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell asserted the military "has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the president's choosing," contrasting sharply with Feinberg's internal acceleration mandate.
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This directive came against the backdrop of a shortage of weapons, which led to a tense relationship between President Donald Trump and the US Department of Defense.
The Pentagon is putting pressure on the US defence industry to accelerate the production of weapons in order to rebuild its stockpiles of ammunition, which have been reduced, particularly as a result of their use in the ongoing war against Iran.
Associated Press News
Pentagon pushes defense companies to boost weapons production after concerns of depleted stocks
The Pentagon is pressing the U.S. defense industry to accelerate production of weapons to help replenish its diminished stockpile of munitions, including those depleted in the ongoing war with Iran.
An internal memorandum warns of the scarcity of key systems following the consumption of interceptors and missiles during the war with Iran, while Washington pushes for new investments and smooth processes to incorporate suppliers and accelerate weapons testing.
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