Pentagon asks US defence firms to boost production of key systems amid weapons stockpile concerns

THE US Pentagon’s No. 2 official asked major US defence companies to accelerate efforts to produce and deliver key weapons systems amid new concerns about shortages and gaps exacerbated by the Iran war.

Steve Feinberg, the deputy secretary of defence, said the department is targeting accelerated or increased procurement for critical programmes including wide-area surveillance, air-defence sensors and interceptors, and missile-tracking systems.

“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” he wrote in an Aug 5 letter seen by Bloomberg to major defence companies, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and RTX. “We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.” The Washington Post reported earlier on the letter.

There have been growing warnings about the state of US weapons stockpiles as the US military attacks Iran and repels its drone and missile strikes on American bases in the region.

US President Donald Trump has denied the US is running low on munitions, saying on Thursday the country has “massive amounts” of them, while warning of punishment for those who say there is a shortage.

Even so, he also said the US has some systems “where it’s a little bit tighter, and we’re getting them in on a daily basis,” although he did not provide any details.

SEE ALSO

Iran says Hormuz deal with Oman is ‘very close’, but demands must be met before reopening

Trump’s Iran dilemma: ‘Menu of bad options’ leaves the US with no easy exit from war

Can Iran outlast the US? How Teheran is widening its pressure campaign to force concessions

Trump holds off on major escalation against Iran amid fears over dwindling US missile interceptor stockpiles

More

Asean Intelligence

Get insights into businesses across South-east Asia

Get the free report

In his letter, Feinberg focused on needs beyond those related to the Iran war, including satellite communications and next-generation air-defence systems. Another priority is Lockheed Martin’s Next Generation Interceptor, a programme aimed at defending the US from intercontinental ballistic missiles.

He asked companies to submit their plans by late August “for more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production capacity” in the critical programmes he identified. BLOOMBERG