Washington is taking steps to replenish its interceptor missile inventory as the Iran War continues. On Monday, the Department of War (DOW) announced plans to collaborate with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to acquire nearly 14,000 additional Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor components.
Before the conflict began in February, the U.S. had 2,300 Patriot and 452 THAAD interceptors, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The CSIS estimated on July 27 that about two-thirds of these pre-war inventories have been used during the Iran War.
A Pentagon official told the Daily Caller News Foundation, “Since June 2025, the Department has been laying the groundwork and establishing key partnerships to expand munitions production. By leveraging Undefinitized Contract Actions, we’re getting private industry to invest upfront—cutting through red tape to deliver to our Warfighters at the speed of relevance.”
Duffey, speaking in the DOW press release, emphasized the importance of these partnerships: “Framework agreements with munition components suppliers like Northrop Grumman are vital to accelerating the tripling of PAC-3 and quadrupling of THAAD interceptor production.”
This effort is part of the DOW’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which focuses on engaging directly with key suppliers across the industrial base rather than relying solely on prime contractors.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, as reported by i24NEWS, stated, “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. We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the US military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests.”
Additionally, Business Insider reported in March that America’s Tomahawk cruise missile inventory—critical for its long-range and precise targeting capabilities—has also been severely depleted during the Iran War and other ongoing conflicts involving the U.S.
Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Sources
- Daily Caller
- Business Insider (March report)
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report
- i24NEWS
Loading comments.