US Department of Defence orders swift ramp-up in weapons manufacturing as conflict with Iran strains stockpiles

The United States Department of Defence has called on defence contractors to accelerate weapons production amidst growing anxiety over dwindling military stockpiles as hostilities with Iran persist.

Deputy Secretary of Defence Steve Feinberg issued a formal directive on Wednesday, setting a 21-day deadline for defence industry leaders to deliver proposals aimed at driving significantly faster delivery timelines and boosting output for critical capabilities.

The directive was initially revealed by The Washington Post following heightened scrutiny regarding the condition of US weapons reserves during the ongoing conflict.

Spokesperson for the Department of Defence Sean Parnell verified the authenticity of the directive, noting that the submissions will directly shape the Pentagon’s budget request for fiscal year 2028.

“The August 5 memo is real,” Parnell stated. “It will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding, and it is entirely consistent with our ongoing push to rebuild the defence industrial base.”

Parnell added that direct engagement with weapons manufacturers is routine practice, defending the administration’s aggressive measures to expedite procurement schedules.

He detailed that Feinberg is actively working to overhaul what he characterized as a broken, outdated, and overly intricate procurement framework, ensuring the military retains the capability to produce equipment at a pace that matches modern threat levels.