Trending Now - U.S. Defense Leaders Address Munitions Shortage Amid High Threats

WHO:

President Donald Trump

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt

U.S. defense contractors

Pentagon officials

Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security at The Heritage Foundation

WHAT:

The U.S. has "more than enough capability" to execute Operation Epic Fury.

The Trump administration is pressing defense contractors to increase production of American-made weapons.

President Trump confirmed U.S. strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026.

The Pentagon is rapidly depleting its stocks of precision weapons and air defense missiles.

The 2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength indicates that threats to U.S. interests are "high" and military power to counter these threats is only "marginal."

The Heritage Foundation's report states that critical U.S. munitions would be exhausted after about a week in a conflict with China and completely spent after 35-40 days.

President Trump proposed increasing the U.S. defense budget by about 50% to $1.5 trillion in 2027.

WHERE:

White House, Washington, D.C.

Iran

The Heritage Foundation

WHEN:

White House briefing on March 4, 2026

Operation Epic Fury commenced on February 28, 2026

The 2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength released in March 2026

Press conference by Robert Greenway on March 3, 2026

WHY:

The White House aims to protect the homeland and speed up the defense industry.

The U.S. military faces an "emerging and rapidly expanding nuclear and conventional arsenal in China" and an aggressive Russia.

The increase in defense budget is proposed to strengthen military readiness and capacity.

HOW:

Defense contractors are set to meet with White House officials to discuss ramping up weapons production.

The Heritage Foundation's annual report assesses U.S. military strength to inform Congress and the Pentagon.

During a White House briefing on March 4, President Trump emphasized that the U.S. has "more than enough capability" to execute Operation Epic Fury, which began with strikes on Iran on February 28. He is urging defense contractors to ramp up production of American-made weapons as the Pentagon faces a rapid depletion of precision munitions and air defense missiles, with a recent report indicating that critical U.S. munitions could be exhausted within a week in a conflict with China. To bolster military readiness, Trump proposed a significant increase in the defense budget to $1.5 trillion for 2027, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing threats from China and Russia.