Washington: The Pentagon has ordered US defense companies to accelerate weapons production and deliveries as the Iran war has depleted key US munitions stockpiles, according to a media report on Saturday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg issued a memo to defense industry leaders, urging them to submit plans within 21 days to significantly accelerate delivery schedules and increase production for critical capabilities. Feinberg emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the traditional years-long development cycles are no longer acceptable and that there is a need to expand production capacity immediately.

The directive aims to replenish stocks of essential weapons, including Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors. The Center for Strategic and International Studies highlighted the depletion, noting that the global inventory of Patriot missiles had decreased from about 2,200 before the war to fewer than 827, while THAAD stocks had fallen from 452 to less than 278.

The Pentagon is also exploring framework agreements with major defense contractors and technology firms to enhance production, although these agreements are nonbinding and rely on congressional funding. Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, pointed out the issue that almost nothing has been contracted yet.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the Feinberg memo and mentioned that it will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding, aligning with efforts to rebuild the US defense industrial base. However, the push for accelerated production comes amid a stalled $1.15 trillion defense spending bill in Congress, which could potentially delay efforts to expand weapons production rapidly.