Australia to buy sophisticated US air-to-air missiles

The Pentagon is pressing weapons makers to accelerate production after U.S. missile shortages tied to the Iran war. CSIS analysis says Patriot interceptor stocks fell from about 2,330 to 759-827, and THAAD from about 452 to 234-278. Reuters reports the Army used “virtually all” ATACMS and PrSM. The Pentagon is awarding contracts with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

The Pentagon asked weapons manufacturers to submit within 21 days plans to increase production and accelerate delivery of critical capabilities, according to a memo cited by The Washington Post and confirmed by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. The effort is to inform the FY2028 budget. The article also cites framework agreements, including Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to expand PAC-3 and THAAD capacity.

The Pentagon said its 30-year procurement model is structurally broken and ordered contractors including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and RTX to propose plans within 21 days for faster delivery and higher production. The move follows CSIS estimates that Patriot and THAAD interceptor stockpiles fell at least 65% and 38%. It also includes framework deals with Northrop Grumman and large Lockheed and THAAD contracts.

A Defense Department memo obtained by The Washington Post says Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg is urging U.S. defense firms to submit within 21 days plans to accelerate weapons production and delivery, citing depleted munitions from the Iran war. It cites heavy missile and interceptor use and declining Patriot and THAAD inventories. Companies named include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Anduril, and Palantir, with funding tied to a stalled $1.15T defense bill.

Pentagon deputy secretary Steve Feinberg asked major U.S. defense firms to accelerate production and deliveries of weapons and sensors, citing concerns about shortages and gaps tied to the Iran conflict. In an Aug. 5 letter seen by Bloomberg, he targeted programs including wide-area surveillance, air-defense sensors and interceptors, and missile-tracking systems, asking for plans by late August.

Reuters explains the U.S. Patriot mobile air defense system, built by Raytheon Technologies, and its PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor variants. Demand has risen as Russia’s strikes in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict have depleted interceptor stocks. CSIS estimates about 65% of U.S. interceptors were used Feb-July, leaving under 850. Lockheed received a contract up to $58.6B.