Defense manufacturers are aiming to ramp up weapons production amid the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran.
The production boost is part of an agreement between the CEOs of prominent defense manufacturers and President Donald Trump, made in March about a week after the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran
According to Trump’s March 6 Truth Social post, BAE Systems, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris Missile Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon all agreed to quadruple production of “Exquisite Class” weaponry such as the Precision Strike Missile. The missile made its operational debut during the strike against Iran in early March.
The military campaign targeting Iran’s defense, missile and drone operations, also known as Operation Epic Fury, is nearly complete, Trump said in his remarks on Wednesday night. However, less than a month after the meeting and the start of the Iran war, some of these companies are following through on their promises, inking deals with the U.S. Department of Defense to boost weapons production.
Even more companies or deals could come through. On Friday, the Trump administration is expected to propose a record $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027, according to multiple media reports.
“We have to take care of one thing: military protection,” Trump said at an Easter lunch at the White House on March 29.
Check out which notable defense manufacturers are ramping up their operations thus far. If you know other defense manufacturers heeding Trump’s call for more weapons, reach out to us at [email protected].
Boeing, Lockheed Martin sign agreement to boost PAC-3 missile production
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have reached a seven-year deal with DOD to triple production of their Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles to meet global demand, the agency announced Wednesday.
The PAC-3 interceptors identify, track and “defeat advanced threats ranging from hostile aircraft and hypersonics to ballistic and cruise missiles,” according to Boeing’s press release. The agreement enables a “massive increase” in seeker supply “needed to expand the protection provided by the world’s most advanced air defense system.”
The deal supports the “Arsenal of Freedom,” a blueprint to rebuild the defense industrial base under DOD’s New Acquisition Transformation strategy, according to the press release.
Since 2024, Boeing has invested over $200 million to upgrade and expand its manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama, which includes a 35,000-square-foot plant. Boeing’s Arsenal of Freedom funds also went toward workforce development and improving its domestic supply chain.
The agreement builds on Lockheed and DOD’s PAC-3 agreement announced Jan. 6. The deal aims to accelerate production and delivery of Lockheed’s PAC-3 missile segment enhancement interceptors. It will increase Lockheed’s annual production rate of the PAC-3 MSE interceptors from 600 to 2,000 over the next seven years, according to DOD’s press release.
BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin agree to increase THAAD seeker production
BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin inked a seven-year agreement with DOD to quadruple production of seekers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor, according to BAE’s March 25 press release.
The agreement reflects the Trump administration’s Arsenal of Freedom strategy and follows Lockheed Martin’s DOD deal to quadruple production of the THAAD interceptors in January, according to the agency’s press release.
An investment was not disclosed, but BAE said it will continue to expand its capabilities through investments in technology, manufacturing and its workforce, leveraging its supply chain to position itself for “long-term, high-volume production.”
Honeywell Aerospace investing to boost defense technologies production
Honeywell Aerospace agreed to spend $500 million to ramp up production of its navigation systems, actuators and electronic warfare solutions, DOD announced March 25.
The funds will go toward upgrading and expanding the company’s manufacturing capacity
The deal reflects the Arsenal of Freedom strategy and DOD’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which aims to increase and accelerate production capacity for key systems, weapons and munitions for the U.S. military and prioritize the country’s allies and partners.
Lockheed Martin to accelerate PrSM production
Lockheed Martin reached a deal with DOD to ramp up production of the Precision Strike Missile, the agency announced March 25.
Under the agreement, Lockheed will invest in advanced tooling and facility upgrades as well as testing equipment in a bid to cut production lead times. The DOD contract could also be negotiated up to seven years “should Congress authorize a multi-year contract in the future.”
The agreement builds on Lockheed’s U.S. Army $4.94 billion contract awarded in March 2025. The two agreements together will quadruple PrSm production capacity, per Lockheed’s March 25 press release.
