Pentagon Pushes to Double, Quadruple Key Weapon Output

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon is pressuring leading US defense companies to double or even quadruple the production of 12 key types of armaments. This move is driven by growing fears that in the event of a potential large-scale military conflict with China, the US's existing missile stockpiles could be severely insufficient.

At the heart of this demand is the realization that in the Indo-Pacific region, especially amid rising tensions around Taiwan, any clash will be high-tech and will require an unprecedented consumption of armaments. We are talking about critical systems such as Patriot anti-aircraft missile interceptors, SM-6 multifunctional missiles, LRASM and JASSM long-range anti-ship and air-to-ground cruise missiles, as well as new-generation PrSM ballistic missiles.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the production cycle of one complex missile takes more than two years. This means that replenishing stockpiles after a conflict starts will be nearly impossible, so it is necessary to create significant reserves in advance.

In response to the Pentagon's demand, industry giants such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman have already begun to take active steps. They are expanding their factories, hiring new employees, and optimizing their supply chains to increase production capacity.

The Department of Defense has asked suppliers to present specific options on how to increase production volumes by 2.5 times within 6 to 24 months. This indicates the urgency of the situation.

In addition to traditional methods, non-standard solutions are also being discussed. Among them are the involvement of private capital to finance the rapid expansion of production lines, and licensing options for production, which would allow other companies to join the missile production process.

It is clear that this move by the Pentagon is not just budget planning, but a strategic shift in military-industrial policy aimed at preparing for a possible clash between great powers. It shows that the US is taking the challenges posed by China seriously and is ready to invest significant resources to maintain its military superiority.