The Department of Defense has issued an urgent directive instructing American weapons manufacturers to swiftly expand production capacity and accelerate delivery schedules for critically depleted munitions used in the war with Iran, according to an internal memorandum obtained by The Washington Post.
In a Wednesday communication addressed to defense sector executives, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg gave companies a maximum of 21 days to present detailed strategies aimed at establishing “significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities."
The memo emphasizes that traditional procurement timelines are no longer viable during active hostilities.
“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable," Feinberg stated, emphasizing, “We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now."
The directive highlights growing internal friction between President Donald Trump and Defense Department officials over dwindling ammunition reserves. While military leaders attempt to address shrinking stockpiles, industry experts note that a resolution depends heavily on whether a divided Congress will authorize emergency defense spending.
Pushing back against concerns over inventory levels, President Trump stated Thursday on Truth Social that the nation maintains “massive amounts" of munitions, asserting that “large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed."
To bridge immediate supply gaps, the Pentagon has announced nonbinding legal arrangements - known as "framework agreements" - with major contractors and emerging technology firms to expand production for both lower-cost strike systems and advanced air defense weaponry, including Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the authenticity of the directive, stating to The Washington Post, “Working directly with industry leaders to accelerate production is not new. It has been the clear intent of the President and this Secretary from the start."
Parnell noted that the document “is real" and explained that 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 defense industrial base."