Trump calls in defense big guns to ‘quadruple’ weapons production as officials ‘scramble’ to support Iran war
Trump calls in defense big guns to ‘quadruple’ weapons production as officials ‘scramble’ to support Iran war
President Donald Trump has initiated efforts to bolster the U.S. military’s capacity for waging war against Iran, with Pentagon officials accelerating operations to replenish weaponry stockpiles. The campaign, now entering its second week, has seen extensive missile deployments across the Middle East, targeting over 2,000 locations since the conflict began.
Amid the aerial exchange, Tomahawk cruise missiles have been striking Tehran, while Iranian ballistic missiles and Shahed drones target U.S. and Gulf state installations. Concerns are mounting over the nation’s ability to sustain defense efforts against Iran’s retaliatory strikes, especially as its own missile reserves face rapid depletion.
According to Politico, Trump’s administration has urged defense leaders to support the ongoing operation, with executives from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Honeywell, and L3Harris Technologies convening at the White House. The meeting followed a joint offensive by the U.S. and Israel that targeted Iran’s leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and significantly disrupted its missile infrastructure.
“We focus too much on nuclear deterrence without considering the role of missile defense,” warned a former U.S. military official to the Daily Mail. “The current strategy is leaving gaps in our ability to counter Iranian threats effectively.”
Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s defense and space commissioner, emphasized that the U.S. lacks sufficient missiles to fully defend the Gulf states and Ukraine from multiple fronts. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has deployed B1 bombers to overseas bases to support the operation, utilizing long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) in combat.
Amid the logistical challenges, the Pentagon requested an additional 100 military intelligence officers to assist US Central Command. A source noted that the administration’s preparation for intelligence collection may have been incomplete, necessitating a surge in personnel to process and synthesize real-time data.
Despite the urgency, Trump remains confident in the U.S. military’s ability to maintain operations indefinitely. Industry leaders are expected to present plans to scale up production, with some estimating that a $50 billion supplemental funding package could expedite manufacturing. The proposal includes hypersonic missiles and high-precision long-range systems.
As the conflict escalates, attention has turned to alternative defense solutions. Start-up firms like Anduril, Singularity, and Castelion are highlighted for their potential to provide cost-effective air defense options, especially as traditional systems such as Patriot and THAAD interceptors are being used in large quantities.
One defense executive suggested that while established primes can mass-produce advanced weaponry, emerging technologies like directed energy lasers and cyber defenses could offer additional layers of protection. The focus on quadrupling production underscores the critical need to secure air superiority and counter Iran’s escalating capabilities.
