Pentagon tells defense execs to submit plans in 3 weeks to boost weapons production dramatically. ‘Years-long development cycles are not acceptable’

The Pentagon is urging defense contractors to submit plans for dramatically increasing weapons production over the next three weeks, as the ongoing war with Iran has depleted the U.S. military's stockpile of munitions. Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, stated that the department is actively promoting a surge in munitions acquisitions to ensure "the weapons our warfighters need at the pace the threat demands."

Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent a memo to industry leaders on Wednesday, demanding that they submit plans to "drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities" within 21 days. He emphasized that "years-long development cycles are not acceptable" and that the military must accelerate its program schedules and expand production capacity immediately.

This request follows the recent conflict with Iran, which has significantly reduced the U.S. military's stockpile of advanced missile interceptors, potentially putting American troops at greater risk if hostilities resume. According to a recent analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the shrinking inventories of Patriot and THAAD interceptors may force U.S. and Middle Eastern allies to take more risks in conserving air defenses, increasing the likelihood of an incoming Iranian missile or drone successfully reaching its target.

President Donald Trump has denied reports of a munitions shortage, claiming that the U.S. possesses "massive amounts" and that additional weapons are being manufactured and shipped to the country as needed. However, the Pentagon's efforts to expedite weapons production are seen as a crucial step in rebuilding the defense industrial base and securing the necessary resources for the ongoing conflict.