The Pentagon Announces a $24.4 Billion Contract with Raytheon to Accelerate Production of Interceptor Missiles
Amman2 min read
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The Pentagon announced on Thursday, awarding the American military industry company Raytheon a $24.4 billion contract to accelerate the production of SM-6 interceptor missiles, in an effort to compensate for the U.S. military's ammunition stocks depleted during the war with Iran.
The Pentagon stated in a statement that these missiles are "vital munitions against aerial and surface targets," and that the agreement, which spans five years with the possibility of extension for two additional years, "will accelerate production."
The statement added that the deal "provides the defense industry with the necessary long-term predictability to expand workforce capabilities and secure vital supply chains"
President Donald Trump has so far ignored questions about the significant depletion of U.S. ammunition stocks due to the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General stated that "munitions consumption in Operation +Epic Wrath+ led to a shortage in strategic stocks and revealed a slowdown in the resupply of munitions," using the official name for the operation against Iran.
A report from the Congressional Budget Office on September 15 indicated the damage to missile defense supplies that would "leave the United States with a reduced stockpile of interceptor missiles for several years"
Tehran continues to obstruct navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz more than seven months after the U.S. and Israeli attacks against it, while Washington imposes a blockade on Iranian ports.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump informed his aides that he expects to resume bombing Iran by late November, a move that could pave the way for Iranian military responses and further U.S. ammunition consumption.
