Trump calls in defense big guns to ‘quadruple’ weapons production as officials ‘scramble’ to support Iran war
Trump ramps up arms production as Pentagon races to bolster Iran campaign
President Donald Trump has mobilized defense leaders to accelerate the manufacturing of advanced weaponry, amid urgent efforts by Pentagon officials to sustain the U.S. military’s aggressive stance against Iran. The conflict, now in its second week, has seen thousands of missiles deployed in offensive and defensive operations, targeting over 2,000 locations across Iran.
Missile exchanges intensify as tensions escalate
Tomahawk cruise missiles have targeted Tehran, while Iranian ballistic systems and Shahed drones have struck U.S. and Gulf facilities in retaliation. With the war expanding, worries grow over the U.S.’s capacity to supply allies and maintain air defenses against Iran’s prolonged retaliation.
“We focus too much on nuclear deterrence without considering the role of missile defense in the broader picture,” a former military official warned the Daily Mail.
Andrius Kubilius, EU defense and space commissioner, highlighted concerns that the U.S. lacks sufficient missiles to protect the Gulf and Ukraine from sustained Iranian attacks. Smoke still rises over Tehran following reported U.S. strikes on key sites in the capital.
Strategic shifts in military operations
US Central Command confirmed the use of long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) during Operation Epic Fury, which has already depleted Iran’s missile stockpile. In response, the Pentagon sought 100 extra military intelligence officers to support the operation, signaling potential gaps in pre-war preparation.
“There’s now an influx of uncleaned intelligence that needs to be fused and finalized,” a military official told the Daily Mail.
Trump’s administration has deployed B1 bombers to overseas bases to reinforce the campaign. The President met with executives from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Honeywell, and L3Harris Technologies to secure commitments for expanding weapon production.
Industry collaboration and funding strategies
Defense leaders pledged to quadruple the output of high-precision, long-range systems, including hypersonic missiles. Trump also hinted at seeking congressional approval for a $50 billion supplemental funding package to boost manufacturing capabilities.
Experts suggest leveraging smaller firms like Anduril, Singularity, and Castelion to develop cost-effective alternatives to expensive Patriot and THAAD interceptors. These companies could play a critical role in re-supplying air defense systems, particularly as the military depletes its stockpiles of pricey interceptors.
“The primes can make these at scale, but there are other ways to defend infrastructure—via space, cyber, or directed energy lasers,” noted a defense executive.
As the conflict unfolds, the focus remains on securing resources and maintaining operational momentum in the face of rising challenges from Iran’s military response.