Defense &
National Security
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Defense &
National Security
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Pentagon signs deal to expand missile interceptor component production |
The Pentagon announced on Monday that it signed framework agreements with defense contractors Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to boost production of missile interceptor parts.
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AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
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The agreement will allow the production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to triple and quadruple, the Pentagon said.
"Building the Arsenal of Freedom requires robust, dynamic supply chains at every level of the industrial base," Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, said in a statement. "Framework agreements with munition components suppliers like Northrop Grumman are vital to accelerating the tripling of PAC-3 and quadrupling of THAAD interceptor production."
The announcement comes as the U.S. military has used up close to 80 THAAD missile inventory and about half of its Patriot interceptors since the war with Iran began, CNN reported on Tuesday.
The military had around 452 THAAD missiles in its inventory and about 2,200 Patriot missiles, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report previously said.
“America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing,” Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told CNN.
“We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,” Parnell said.
The high usage of interceptors during the conflict with Iran has raised concerns about the readiness of the military to shoot down incoming threats if wars in other parts of the world break out.
“Our long-term investments in breakthrough manufacturing technologies and resilient supply chains let us pivot from steady production to a production surge in record time," Ben Davies, corporate vice president at Northrop Grumman, said in a statement. "As one of America’s leading producers of solid rocket motors, we’re supporting the administration’s push to accelerate munitions output.
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Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Filip Timotija — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.
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How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:
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The U.S. military’s supply of its premier long-range missiles and interceptors for a key missile defense system are nearly exhausted after over five months of airstrikes against Iran, underscoring worries about U.S. preparedness to fight other conflicts that may emerge around the world, news outlets reported on Tuesday. The Army has expended “virtually all” of the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision …
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The U.S. military has officially retired the joint task force aimed at targeting suspected drug-carrying vessels coming from Central and South America, replacing it with a new command structure meant to handle the issue across the Western Hemisphere. Joint Task Force-Southern Spear was retired at midnight on Monday, putting in its place Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), to “build on a legacy of excellence to secure …
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The Pentagon’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., is reportedly projected to cost another $1.4 billion through the end of President Trump’s second term, according to information the Pentagon provided to Congress. The estimate, given to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), by acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst III, covers the period of October 2026 through January 2029, The Washington Post reported. …
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President Trump is turning back to diplomacy in the Middle East, seeking a new deal with Iran that his administration failed to secure through waves of military strikes. But the negotiations, which the president claimed would resume Monday, got off to a rocky start, with Iran denying any resumption in talks with the U.S., while pursuing a bilateral deal with Oman over shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic …
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
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As Haitians brace for end of TPS, some Republicans rejoice
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The Trump administration’s plan to deport more than 300,000 Haitians who just lost their lawful status after a Supreme Court ruling is showing a split screen in U.S. politics, with some Republicans openly rejoicing in the pending removals while others plead for leniency. The high court’s June …
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Events in and around the defense world:
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- The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is holding a discussion tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET on "The Russia-Ukraine War: Not Forever, But No End in Sight."
- The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft will hold a discussion tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET on "Rehabilitating a Cratering Image: Israeli Influence in America."
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow at 10 a.m. on pending nominations.
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News we’ve flagged from other outlets:
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- US has used 'virtually all' of its long-range precision missiles during Iran war, sources say, Reuters reports.
- US military has used up nearly 80% of key missile interceptors as commanders warn stockpiles ‘dangerously low,’ sources say, CNN reports.
- Army expected to add counter-drone laser weapons to base defenses, Task & Purpose reports.
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Two key stories on The Hill right now:
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President Trump ordered contractors working on the White House helipad to redo their work, frustrated with its appearance after weeks of construction, … Read more
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Economic insecurity and the rise of artificial intelligence are dismantling the traditional American Dream of retirement, leaving many older adults … Read more
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Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill:
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You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!
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