US Weapons Stocks Running Low? Pentagon’s Urgent ‘Accelerate’ Order To Defence Firms

Published 9 August 2026 · finance

News world US Weapons Stocks Running Low? Pentagon’s Urgent ‘Accelerate’ Order To Defence Firms US Weapons Stocks Running Low? Pentagon’s Urgent ‘Accelerate’ Order To Defence

News world US Weapons Stocks Running Low? Pentagon’s Urgent ‘Accelerate’ Order To Defence Firms US Weapons Stocks Running Low? Pentagon’s Urgent ‘Accelerate’ Order To Defence Firms Published By, Last Updated: August 09, 2026, 07:42 IST The directive comes as the Pentagon works to replenish its stocks of weapons, including Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptors. Rapid Read An early version of the Army Tactical Missile System is tested at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, in 2021. (John Hamilton/U.S. Army/AP) The Pentagon has directed US defence companies to speed up weapons manufacturing and deliveries after the war with Iran depleted key US munitions stockpiles, according to a Defence Department memo obtained by The Washington Post.

Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg informed leaders of the defence industry through a memo on Wednesday that they have 21 days to submit plans aimed at “driving significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities." “Years-long development cycles are not acceptable," Feinberg wrote. “We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now". The directive comes as the Pentagon works to replenish its stocks of weapons, including Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptors. According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the global stock of Patriot missiles has dropped from roughly 2,200 before the war to fewer than 827.

THAAD inventories have also fallen from 452 to less than 278. The Pentagon has simultaneously been working on framework agreements with major defence contractors and technology companies to increase weapons production. However, these agreements are nonbinding and remain dependent on funding from Congress. “Almost nothing has been contracted, and that’s the problem," said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defence Project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Feinberg issued the memo. He said it “will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding" and aligns with efforts to rebuild the US defence industrial base. The Pentagon’s latest move comes while a $1.15 trillion defence spending bill remains stalled in Congress, which could delay efforts to significantly increase weapons production.