Pentagon Secures Agreements to Increase Interceptor Production

The Pentagon has finalized two seven-year agreements with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Lockheed Martin. These deals aim to increase the production of missile interceptors. The focus is on components for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE).

The objective is to triple the capacity for PAC-3 MSE interceptors. Production of THAAD interceptors is set to quadruple. Essential sub-components like seeker housings and motor cases will also see accelerated production, according to the Pentagon.

“Today’s announcement represents an example of the evolution of how we partner with industry to expand the Arsenal of Freedom, outpace emerging threats and ensure the Warfighter never faces a fair fight,” said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin will streamline processes and rapidly scale domestic manufacturing. This comes in response to depleted U.S. missile stockpiles since the Iran conflict began. The U.S. military has used between 190 and 290 THAADs during this time. Analysts predict a return to pre-war stockpile levels by 2029, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter. I’m Filip Timotija, your guide to developments at the Pentagon and beyond.

Essential Reads

The implications of policy on defense and national security:

• President Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 32% in a UMass Amherst poll, with disapproval at 64%.
• Trump said it’s too soon to discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a potential presidential candidate for 2028.
• The Pentagon now uses Starshield AI’s Grok for Government and OpenAI’s ChatGPT for unclassified tasks, boosting knowledge continuity and collaboration.
• Iran has attacked U.S. military assets in the UAE and Jordan. This was in response to U.S. strikes on Iranian rocket launchers.

On Our Radar

Upcoming events and hearings include:

• A House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee meeting on countering Houthi terrorism, scheduled at 10 a.m. ET.
• A discussion on the Hormuz Energy Crisis in China by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at 9 a.m. ET.
• The Quincy Institute and the Arab Center host a discussion on shifting security in MENA amid the Iran War at 11 a.m. ET.

In Other News

Response to alleged ICE arrests in Connecticut by White House border czar Tom Homan.

What We’re Reading

• Task & Purpose reports on a sailor questioning Navy leadership about grooming expense coverage.
• Breaking Defense covers Japan’s $55 billion defense budget request for extended-range missiles.
• Associated Press reports on a new U.S. missile’s impact in an Iranian city.

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!