The US Defense Department has requested military contractors to increase weapons manufacturing output, citing concerns about depleting stockpiles amid ongoing regional tensions.
The US Defense Department has directed military contractors to accelerate weapons production, according to a memo issued by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg on Wednesday. The correspondence gives industry leaders a three-week deadline to present plans for faster delivery schedules and expanded manufacturing of critical defense systems.
Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the authenticity of the August 5 memo to CNN, stating that the directive will influence the Defense Department's fiscal year 2028 budget proposal to Congress. Parnell emphasized that direct collaboration with defense manufacturers on production timelines is standard practice rather than an exceptional measure.
The Pentagon official characterized the initiative as part of a broader effort to modernize the defense industrial base and streamline the country's complex weapons acquisition system. According to Parnell, the goal is to enable faster production of military equipment in response to current security threats. He noted that the fiscal year 2027 budget currently under congressional review presents an opportunity to accelerate these production efforts immediately.
