Pentagon Sounds Alarm Over Weapon Stockpiles, Orders Defence Firms to Speed Up Production

Washington: The US Department of Defense has asked major defence contractors to significantly speed up the production and delivery of critical weapons, amid concerns that prolonged military operations linked to the Iran conflict have reduced American ammunition reserves.

According to a report by The Washington Post, Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg issued a directive to defence industry leaders, asking them to submit detailed plans within 21 days on ways to increase manufacturing capacity and shorten delivery timelines.

“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” Feinberg reportedly wrote in the memo, stressing that the US must rapidly expand production capabilities for key defence systems.

Focus on Patriot and THAAD missile supplies

The Pentagon’s latest push is aimed at rebuilding stocks of advanced air defence systems, including Patriot missile interceptors and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) systems. Patriot missiles have dropped sharply, falling from around 2,200 before the conflict to fewer than 827. THAAD interceptor reserves have also reportedly declined from nearly 452 to below 278.

To address the shortage, the Pentagon has been working on agreements with defence manufacturers and technology companies to expand production. However, many of these deals are still preliminary and require approval and funding from Congress.

“Almost nothing has been contracted, and that is the problem,” said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defence Project at CSIS.

Pentagon links move to future defence budget

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the memo and said the initiative would help shape the Fiscal Year 2028 defence budget proposal submitted to Congress. He added that the move aligns with efforts to strengthen the US defence industrial base and ensure faster availability of critical weapons.

However, efforts to increase defence production could face hurdles as a $1.15 trillion defence spending bill remains stalled in Congress, potentially delaying expansion plans.

Trump reportedly questioned Pentagon over missile shortages

The development comes after reports that US President Donald Trump raised concerns over weapons shortages during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David. As per media reports, Trump questioned Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over why shortages of key weapons, including long-range guided missiles and Patriot interceptors, had not been resolved. The report claimed that concerns over limited weapons supplies may have influenced decisions regarding further large-scale military actions against Iran.

White House rejects claims of Pentagon crisis

The White House has rejected the report, calling the allegations false. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the claims as “100 per cent fake news” and said Trump continues to have full confidence in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The Pentagon also denied the allegations, with spokesperson Sean Parnell saying Hegseth had not misrepresented the condition of US weapons stockpiles and calling the report inaccurate. Despite the denials, the Pentagon’s latest directive highlights growing pressure on the US defence industry to increase production capacity and rebuild strategic weapon reserves.