Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has urged defense contractors to accelerate weapons production, citing growing concerns over dangerously low U.S. military stockpiles. "Go faster, please, go faster, think bolder," Caine implored attendees at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit.
The summit, held at the U.S. Army War College, brought together defense contractors and government officials to discuss the evolving landscape of warfare. Officials emphasized a shift in military strength towards the quantity of weapons, driven by rapidly developed technologies like drones. "Quantity can be built, networked and employed faster than it could before," Caine stated, warning that "the new reality of modern warfare is competition at a speed and velocity that we haven’t planned for."
Caine's remarks come as the U.S. continues strikes against Iran, as part of an ongoing operation that has led to significant drawdowns of key weapon systems. A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicated that the U.S. may have expended over half of its pre-war inventory in the Middle East. Systems particularly affected include Tomahawk cruise missiles, JASSMs, Patriot missiles, and THAAD interceptors. CSIS estimates that rebuilding these stockpiles could take one to four years due to lengthy production times.
For example, approximately 1,000 Tomahawk missiles were reportedly used, significantly depleting the pre-war stock of about 3,100. Similarly, over 1,100 JASSMs were fired from an initial stock of 4,400, and up to 290 THAAD missiles were used against Iranian drones. Replacements for Patriot missiles are expected by mid-2029, while THAAD missile replacements are anticipated by the end of 2029.
Michael Duffey, under secretary of war for acquisitions and sustainment, identified deeply ingrained cultural issues within the acquisition process as a major impediment to achieving the necessary speed and volume. "The biggest friction point we have in acquisitions is decades of entrenched culture," he said.
Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), who is hosting the two-day summit, highlighted the global threats facing the United States, including China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea, all of whom he stated share the objective of a weakened America. He called for a "new culture" within the defense enterprise that embraces risk-taking, rapid iteration, and learning from both allies and adversaries, while also leveraging commercial dual-use technologies.
The government is investing heavily to address these shortfalls, with the Department of Defense allocating approximately $25 billion to fast-track procurement and the White House seeking congressional approval for a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget. However, officials caution that during this period of replenishment, the U.S. will remain vulnerable in a complex global environment. Caine specifically pointed to ongoing operations in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, border security, North Korea's nuclear capabilities, and China's assertiveness as key challenges.