Pentagon urges defense contractors to speed up missile production after Iran war depletion

In a memo to industry leaders, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg gave defense companies 21 days to outline how they can accelerate production and delivery of essential missile systems, emphasizing that long development cycles are untenable. The push follows reports that THAAD interceptors have fallen to between 232 and 262 units and Patriot missiles to between 759 and 827, far below pre-war counts. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the directive is real and aims to ensure warfighters receive weapons at the pace demanded by threats.

Defense Innovation Unit principal deputy director Jarred Conley told reporters that existing munitions are adequate for current missions, but rebuilding depleted stocks could take years. The initiative also seeks to expand capacity for components, with contracts already signed with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to boost production of Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD parts, while broader concerns include future conflicts with China and the need to support allies reliant on these systems.