from WILL COOPER in New York, US
NEW YORK, (CAJ News) – THE United States is pressing its leading defense contractors to sharply increase missile production as Washington braces for the possibility of a conflict with China, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Pentagon is urging manufacturers to double or even quadruple output, citing fears that existing stockpiles may be inadequate in the event of a prolonged confrontation.
The effort began in June when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine convened a closed-door roundtable with major missile makers, defense startups such as Anduril Industries, and key component suppliers.
The discussions laid the groundwork for what is now called the Munitions Acceleration Council.
Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg is reportedly playing an unusually direct role, personally phoning executives weekly to track progress.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the initiative, saying President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth were “exploring extraordinary avenues to expand our military might and accelerate the production of munitions.”
The council is prioritizing 12 advanced weapons systems deemed essential for a potential Indo-Pacific conflict.
However, defense experts have cautioned that the Pentagon’s ambitions may be difficult to realize.
Manufacturing certain missile platforms can take up to two years, while certifying new suppliers requires extensive testing and hundreds of millions of dollars in investment.
Funding also remains a hurdle. While Washington recently approved an additional $25 billion in munitions spending over five years, analysts say meeting the Pentagon’s goals could demand tens of billions more.
The United States regards China as its foremost strategic rival, pointing to Beijing’s rapid military modernization, expanding regional influence, and pressure on Taiwan.
Beijing, for its part, insists Taiwan is a domestic matter and accuses Washington of inflaming tensions by arming Taipei and encouraging separatism.
– CAJ News