President Donald Trump speaks alongside Jennifer Hegseth, center left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center right, during a meeting about military families, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo: AP)
The US Department of Defense is telling weapons companies to make missiles faster. The goal is to refill supplies that dropped during the ongoing war with Iran.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department wants to get weapons to soldiers “at the pace the threat demands.” He said the push started last week but is part of a bigger plan that began before the war.
Story continues below this ad
What did the Pentagon tell weapons companies?
Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent a letter to industry leaders on Wednesday. He gave them 21 days to share plans for faster delivery and higher production of key weapons.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, from left, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a cabinet meeting. (Photo: AP)
In the letter, Feinberg wrote that long development timelines are no longer acceptable. He said the country must speed up its programs and grow its production capacity right away.
Patriot interceptors dropped from 2,330 before the war to 1,030 when the ceasefire started in April.
After more recent fighting, that number is now between 759 and 827 a drop of at least 65% since before the war.
THAAD interceptors fell from 452 before the war to between 232 and 262 by April.
The US refilled some of that supply, bringing it up to between 234 and 278. Even so, it’s still at least 38% lower than before the war started.
The report warns that low supplies could force the US and its allies to take more risks with air defense, such as firing fewer missiles at incoming threats. That raises the chance one could get through.
President Trump has pushed back against reports of a missile shortage. On social media, he said the US has “massive amounts” of weapons and that more are being built and sent out as needed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting, Friday, July 31, 2026, at Camp David, the presidential retreat, near Thurmont, Md. (Photo: AP)
Parnell confirmed the memo is real. He said it will help shape the 2028 defense budget request to Congress and fits with ongoing efforts to rebuild the weapons industry.
A defense spending bill is currently stuck in Congress. Lawmakers are unhappy about Trump’s military action against Iran and are pushing back on a White House request to raise Pentagon spending to $1.5 trillion, up from about $900 billion last year.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Share
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Jennifer Hegseth, center left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center right, during a meeting about military families, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo: AP) 
