Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent a letter to defense industry leaders, warning that multi-year development cycles are unacceptable. The US has already expended 80 percent of its stockpile of a key air defense system.
The Pentagon has asked the American defense industry to urgently increase the production and delivery of weapons, especially ammunition, whose stockpiles have been severely depleted due to the war with Iran. The letter sent on Wednesday by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg gives companies a maximum of 21 days to submit plans for significantly accelerating production.
The content of the letter was reported by The Washington Post, and the information was also confirmed by the Pentagon's chief spokesman, Sean Parnell. "Direct engagement with industry leaders to accelerate production is not new. It has been a clear intent of the President and the current Secretary from the very beginning," Parnell said.
Feinberg was direct in his letter. "Multi-year development cycles are unacceptable. We must now sharply accelerate the execution of our program schedules and expand production capacities," wrote the Deputy Defense Secretary. The directive comes amid growing tensions between President Donald Trump and the Department of Defense precisely over the weapons shortage.
Parnell further clarified that Feinberg's letter is "truthful" and that it "will be taken into account when formulating the budget for fiscal year 2028, which will be submitted to Congress for approval, and it is fully in line with our current efforts to rebuild the defense industrial base."
According to earlier media reports, the United States has expended about 80 percent of its available stockpile of a key air defense system. Military officials warn that inventory levels are "dangerously low." The situation is further complicated by the fact that President Trump has rejected a request from Ukrainian President Zelensky for hundreds of additional Patriot missiles, citing the US's own needs in the Middle East.
In recent months, the Pentagon has signed several framework agreements with the largest American defense companies and new startups, aiming to increase deliveries of cheaper ammunition and advanced systems such as THAAD and Patriot interceptors. However, experts warn that these agreements are merely expressions of intent and that a key element is missing for their realization: additional funding from Congress.
The 21-day deadline for submitting plans underscores the urgency of the situation facing the Pentagon as it attempts to replenish stockpiles depleted in the conflict with Iran while maintaining the ability to support allies.
