US Defense Department pushes arms makers to speed up weapons production

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The US Defense Department has asked defense industry companies to accelerate weapons production and deliveries to American forces, department spokesman Sean Parnell said. Speaking to USA Today, Parnell said the department's direct work with defense industry leaders to speed up production is not a new practice. Parnell said the Pentagon has focused on changing the speed and capacity of the US defense industrial base since Pete Hegseth took office as defense secretary on his first day. Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg has been restructuring what Parnell described as an "ineffective, outdated and overly complex" procurement system, seeking to ensure the US produces weapons "at the speed the threats demand." USA Today reported that Feinberg gave military contractors 21 days to submit plans that would significantly increase the pace of weapons deliveries. The Washington Post earlier reported, citing an internal document, that the Pentagon had asked defense companies to accelerate arms and munitions production.