The Pentagon has raised alarms over dwindling missile stockpiles, pushing major U.S. defense contractors to dramatically increase production in preparation for a potential conflict with China.
Military leaders are pressing manufacturers to double—or even quadruple—the output of 12 critical weapons systems, including Patriot interceptors, SM-6, LRASM, JASSM, and PrSM.
According to reports, the Pentagon fears current stockpiles would be insufficient in the event of a prolonged conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Missiles like the SM-6 and Patriot interceptors take more than two years to build, creating concerns about replenishment timelines.
Pressure on contractors
Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman have been asked how they could achieve a 2.5× boost in output within 6–24 months. Options being considered include tapping private capital, accelerating licensing, and expanding production capacity.
The effort is being spearheaded by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg through the newly formed Munitions Acceleration Council, with Feinberg personally calling company executives on a weekly basis to track progress.
Defense suppliers are already adding workers and expanding factories to meet the Pentagon’s push. However, experts warn scaling production at such a rapid pace will be challenging given the complexity of missile supply chains.
