Defense Industry Leaders Expected to Meet Trump Over U.S. Missile Supply Concerns

Trump has privately expressed anger to aides and allies over thinning American munitions stockpiles, and a person familiar with the planned meeting described it as likely to be 'ugly.' Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg is also expected to attend, though the White House stated no such meeting was on the president's schedule 'at this time.' The Pentagon has yet to finalize binding contracts for new munitions despite entering into 'framework agreements,' including deals with Lockheed Martin to triple PAC-3 Patriot interceptor production and with RTX to boost Tomahawk and AMRAAM output. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. had approximately 3,100 Tomahawk missiles before the Iran war and has expended roughly 1,000 or more, with new production taking over three years to replenish even if contracts were signed today. Separately, Lockheed Martin's vice president for strategy acknowledged at the ILA Berlin Air Show that the company cannot guarantee delivery timelines for Patriot interceptors to U.S. allies, as allocation decisions rest with the Pentagon. Experts at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech summit also warned that U.S. ammunition infrastructure has stagnated since World War II, drone manufacturing lags far behind China, and critical supply chains remain dangerously concentrated. Capitol Hill officials estimate the Pentagon needs an additional $20 billion to begin meaningful stockpile replenishment, and the House Appropriations Committee has unveiled a proposed defense spending bill exceeding $1 trillion with a focus on munitions production.