Pentagon moves to triple Patriot, quadruple THAAD interceptor production

Published Aug 3, 03:59 PM UTC

The U.S. Defense Department announced framework agreements with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to dramatically increase production of Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors. The goal is to triple production capacity for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors and quadruple production for THAAD interceptors, aiming for a long-term procurement of nearly 14,000 interceptors. The move comes after conflicts in Iran and Ukraine strained U.S. missile inventories, with a CSIS analysis estimating two-thirds of pre-war Patriot interceptors were depleted during the Iran conflict. The agreements establish a second source for Patriot solid rocket motors and expand manufacturing capacity for key THAAD components. The initiative is part of the Defense Department's Acquisition Transformation Strategy.