The U.S. military is working to accelerate missile production after years of output that fell short of current demand, leaving some critical weapons in limited supply, according to an analysis of Pentagon procurement data.
At present production rates, several of the Defense Department's most important munitions would require years — and in some cases decades — to replenish, highlighting a gap between battlefield use and industrial capacity that cannot be quickly closed. Major defense contractors have reached new agreements with the Pentagon to significantly increase output across several high-end weapons programs, though senior military officials caution the buildup will take time.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and defense policy experts aligned with more cautious approaches to military spending say the stockpile concerns reflect deeper structural problems in how the United States manages its defense industrial base. They argue that years of underinvestment in domestic manufacturing capacity has left the country vulnerable precisely when readiness is most critical.
Some Democratic lawmakers have called for longer-term, consistent procurement strategies rather than emergency surges in production. "We can't just react to crises — we need sustained investment in our industrial base so we're never caught short like this again," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who has advocated for greater oversight of defense contracting.
Progressives have also raised questions about the cost to taxpayers when production ramps up on short notice versus maintaining steady-state manufacturing capacity over time.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials say the current mobilization demonstrates the administration's commitment to restoring military readiness after years of perceived neglect. They point to recent successful operations as evidence that U.S. capabilities remain formidable.
Vice President JD Vance dismissed reports about stockpile concerns during an interview on Fox News' "The Will Cain Show." "Of course, I'm concerned about our readiness because that's my job to be concerned," Vance said, adding that defense leaders are "doing an amazing job." He also rejected the Atlantic report's sourcing: "Don't believe everything you read, especially in papers like The Atlantic."
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital that "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." He noted that Secretary Pete Hegseth has highlighted that less than 10% of American naval power controlled traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that "attempts to alarm Americans over the Department's magazine depth are both ill-informed and dishonorable."
What the Numbers Show
Pentagon procurement data reveals significant gaps between current production rates and stated goals:
The Navy's Tomahawk cruise missile was procured at an average rate of approximately 66 missiles per year over the past seven years. At that pace, it would take roughly 12 years to meet the Navy's goal of adding 785 more missiles to its arsenal.
For the Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, procurement has averaged about 30 interceptors annually — meaning it would take nearly three decades to reach a target of 857 additional interceptors at current production rates.
The Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor presents a somewhat better picture: the U.S. has procured roughly 212 missiles annually on average, a pace that would take approximately two years to meet a new goal of 405.
Pentagon acting comptroller Jay Hurst told lawmakers this week that the conflict with Iran has cost roughly $25 billion so far, with "most of that is munitions."
A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that U.S. forces used more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and over 1,000 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) during recent operations. Patriot interceptor use was estimated between roughly 1,060 and 1,430 missiles — representing more than half of prewar U.S. inventory.
Despite heavy usage, defense analysts say the U.S. retains sufficient munitions for current operations but express concern about rebuilding capacity quickly enough to support a potential future conflict with a peer adversary.
On the production side, RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, reported that missile deliveries were up more than 40% year over year. Artillery production has expanded severalfold since 2022.
Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo told lawmakers in April: "I think it will take one to two years for them to scale. It won't be soon enough."
The Bottom Line
The debate over U.S. missile stockpiles reflects a broader tension between short-term operational confidence and long-term industrial preparedness. While Pentagon leadership and administration officials emphasize current capabilities, procurement data shows significant time gaps between stated goals and present production capacity.
Defense contractors are investing in expanded manufacturing capability, with RTX reporting substantial increases in deliveries. However, even optimistic projections from military commanders suggest it will take one to two years for the defense industrial base to fully scale up — a timeline that could prove challenging if additional conflicts emerge.
Congressional oversight of defense spending and procurement reform remains likely as lawmakers seek to balance immediate security needs against long-term budget considerations.