US orders to ramp up weapons production amid Iran war

The Trump administration has directed the US defence industry to accelerate weapons production and deliveries amid the ongoing war with Iran, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing The Washington Post.

A US Department of Defense memo instructed defence companies to increase production and expedite the delivery of several types of ammunition that are currently in short supply.

US Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent a letter to senior defence industry officials on Wednesday, asking them to submit plans within 21 days outlining how to increase production of critical weapons and military equipment while significantly reducing delivery times.

“Years-long development processes are no longer acceptable,” Feinberg said, calling for an immediate expansion of weapons production capacity and a dramatic acceleration of operations.

The directive comes amid reports that US stocks of weapons and ammunition have been declining, with particular concern over shortages of Patriot interceptors used to counter incoming missiles.

President Donald Trump has previously dismissed concerns over ammunition shortages, saying the US military has a “vast amount” of ammunition.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said large quantities of weapons and ammunition were being produced and shipped within the United States as needed.