The Pentagon is urging major U.S. defense contractors to sharply increase weapons production as the five-month war with Iran has reduced supplies of several key munitions. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg has given defense companies 21 days to submit plans for speeding up production and deliveries, with officials particularly focused on long-range missiles and air-defense interceptors. The Pentagon has described the initiative as part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.

The push follows reports that the United States has used much of its inventory of Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles during the conflict. Reuters reported that the military had used virtually all of those two missile types, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the U.S. stockpile of Patriot interceptors had fallen by at least 65% from prewar levels and that THAAD interceptor stocks were down by at least 38%. The depletion has raised concerns about how quickly the military can replace sophisticated weapons, many of which require specialized components and lengthy manufacturing processes.