Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Aug 9: The Pentagon's second-highest-ranking official has asked major US defence companies to accelerate the production and delivery of critical weapons systems amid growing concerns over shortages and capability gaps exacerbated by the conflict with Iran.

Steve Feinberg, deputy secretary of defence, said the department was seeking faster or increased procurement for critical programmes, including wide-area surveillance, air-defence sensors and interceptors, and missile-tracking systems.

"Years-long development cycles are not acceptable," Feinberg wrote in an Aug 5 letter to major defence companies, including Boeing Co, Lockheed Martin Corp and RTX Corp. "We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now."

The Washington Post had earlier reported on the letter.

Concerns over the condition of US weapons stockpiles have grown as the US military conducts attacks on Iran and counters drone and missile strikes targeting American bases in the region.

President Donald Trump on Thursday denied that the US was running low on munitions, saying the country had "massive amounts" of them. He also warned of punishment for those claiming there was a shortage.

However, Trump acknowledged that supplies of some systems were "a little bit tighter" and said the US was receiving them daily, without providing further details.

In his letter, Feinberg outlined requirements extending beyond those linked directly to the Iran conflict. These include satellite communications and next-generation air-defence systems.

Another priority identified was Lockheed Martin's Next Generation Interceptor, a programme designed to protect the United States against intercontinental ballistic missile attacks.

Feinberg asked defence companies to submit plans by late August detailing "more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production capacity" for the critical programmes identified by the Pentagon.