The United States has signed a $22.9 billion contract with Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, to significantly increase the production of Tomahawk cruise missiles. The goal is to replenish US stockpiles of high-tech weapons, which have decreased due to arms supplies to allies and their use in the conflict with Iran, writes Reuters.
The contract is for seven years. According to Raytheon, it will allow the annual production of Tomahawk missiles to increase to more than 1,000. Currently, the company produces about 60 such missiles per year.
Acting US Secretary of the Navy, Hong Cao, stated that American authorities have urged the defense industry to increase ammunition production as quickly as possible. According to him, the new contract should guarantee the necessary firepower for American servicemen.
The increase in production is also linked to concerns about US weapon stockpiles. Earlier, American media reported that the US might have already used about 80% of its reserves of some key air defense systems, and the military warned of dangerously low inventory levels.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegset, however, denied information that the US armed forces were running out of key missiles.
US President Donald Trump also sharply reacted to publications about a possible ammunition shortage and threatened media sources with lengthy prison sentences.
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