US directs defense giants to surge missile production to unprecedented levels

WASHINGTON, Jan. 08 (YPA) – The White House and the Department of Defense (Pentagon) have issued urgent directives to major defense contractors, including “Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon,” to accelerate the production of precision-guided and interceptor missiles to historic levels to replenish and expand U.S. stockpiles.

According to procurement documents, the Pentagon has requested a massive scale-up in the manufacturing of the Patriot (PAC-3) missile system. Production is slated to jump from the current 500 missiles per year to a target of 2,000 interceptors annually within a few years—a fourfold increase.

The directive also emphasizes a significant boost in the production of “HIMARS” (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) munitions, which are highly accurate, ground-launched tactical rockets.

The production surge extends beyond air defense to include advanced long-range offensive munitions. The U.S. administration aims to raise the combined output of two critical missile types to approximately 3,000 units per year including “JASSM” (Precision-guided air-to-surface missiles for land targets) and “LRASM” (Long-range anti-ship missiles).

Currently produced in relatively small quantities (a few hundred per year), this shift represents a strategic effort by Washington to enhance its deterrence capabilities and modernize its military inventory with the latest precision strike technology.

YPA