US Defense Department asks weapons makers for production acceleration plans within 21 days

WASHINGTON, United States — The US Department of Defense has asked defense contractors to submit plans within 21 days to accelerate weapons and munitions production, according to a letter published by the Washington Post. The letter, signed by Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, calls for faster delivery schedules and increased output of critical production capacity. Separately, CNN reported, citing three sources, that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine told senior advisers to President Donald Trump in private meetings that airstrikes alone were likely insufficient to achieve stated US objectives. Caine also warned that critical munitions stockpiles had fallen to concerning levels, an issue raised in at least two meetings between Caine and Trump. According to CNN, Gulf state officials have conveyed concerns to Washington about shortfalls in advanced air defense systems and the potential for Iranian attacks on regional energy infrastructure. No further details on the contractors' submissions or Pentagon response plans were immediately available.