After facing some hard truths about its missile stockpiles, the Pentagon has begun a multi-year process to buy thousands more every year. Fights in the Red Sea and our ongoing Global War on Terror have not been kind to the inventory of highly capable missiles like the SM-6 and AMRAAM. Put frankly, we are running out by using them on cheap drones like the Shahed-136.The problem is that we don’t build or buy enough to replenish our stocks, so the Pentagon has entered into framework agreements with RTX and Lockheed Martin to produce thousands more key missiles each year. That isn’t the whole story, though. Lower-cost but still highly capable munitions are filling in the gaps and freeing up the higher-end weapons for what they were designed for. In this video, we discuss all the missiles the Pentagon wants, how they plan to accomplish this, and what cheaper options are stepping up to the plate.00:00 – Intro01:07 – Why the Pentagon wants more missiles03:06 – The Pentagon’s ask06:18 – The cost curve problem08:12 – Cheaper solutions12:37 – What this all means14:25 – Limits and counterpoints16:39 – Channel updates
Summary
The Pentagon has initiated a multi-year effort to mass-produce thousands of missiles annually following concerns over dwindling stockpiles. Ongoing conflicts, including operations in the Red Sea and the Global War on Terror, have accelerated the consumption of high-capability systems like the SM-6 and AMRAAM. These advanced weapons are increasingly being used against low-cost drones such as the Shahed-136, leading to rapid depletion. To address this shortage, the Department of Defense has established framework agreements with major defense contractors RTX and Lockheed Martin to replenish inventories.
Beyond simply increasing production of existing high-end munitions, the strategy involves introducing lower-cost alternatives that remain highly capable. These new options aim to fill gaps in current arsenals while reserving premium weapons for their intended strategic roles. The video explores the specific missile requirements identified by the Pentagon, the methods planned to meet these demands, and how cost-effective solutions are stepping up to support national defense needs. It also examines the economic challenges associated with production scaling and discusses the broader implications of shifting munition strategies within the current geopolitical landscape.
Watch “The Pentagon's Plan To Mass-Produce Missiles” on YouTube
