US: $24 Billion to Accelerate Production of Interceptor Missiles

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it has awarded the U.S. military contractor Raytheon a $24.4 billion contract to accelerate production of SM-6 interceptors, in an effort to replenish U.S. military ammunition stocks depleted during the war with Iran.

In a statement, the Pentagon said these missiles are “vital anti-air and anti-surface munitions,” and that the five-year agreement, with an option to extend for two additional years, “will accelerate the pace of production.”

President Donald Trump has so far ignored questions regarding the significant depletion of U.S. ammunition stocks resulting from the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.

Last month, the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense stated that “ammunition consumption in Operation Epic Fury led to a shortage in strategic stocks and revealed a slowdown in ammunition replenishment,” using the official name for the operation against Iran.

A report issued by the Congressional Budget Office on September 15 highlighted damage to missile defense supplies that would “leave the United States with a reduced stock of interceptors for several years.”