U.S. Ramps Up THAAD Interceptor Missile Production Fourfold to Avoid Losing to Iran, But It’s Still Not Enough
The American company Lockheed Martin announced the signing of a new agreement with the U.S. Department of War to increase production capacity for interceptors for the THAAD missile defense system.
It is planned to expand production and reach a rate of 400 interceptor missiles per year. The current production rate is only 96 interceptors per year, which is extremely low.
Read more: When Patriot Launchers Go Empty: How Many PAC-3 MSE Missiles Ukraine Needs Per Month, Per SalvoLaunch of a THAAD interceptor missile / Photo credit: the U.S. DoW
The cost of the deal, as well as the timeframe over which production volumes are planned to increase fourfold, has not yet been announced. However, this is a difficult process that requires a significant expansion of the entire supply chain.
In order to increase production volumes, it will probably be necessary to build new plants and significantly expand existing ones. This means that such rates are likely to be achieved only in a few years, approximately by 2030.
The U.S. currently faces an urgent need for THAAD interceptor missiles, as during just 12 days of the June 2025 war between Iran and Israel, U.S. forces reportedly fired around 150 THAAD interceptors. This represents more than one and a half times the highest annual production rate, yet actual orders at the time were lower, and it could take up to four years to fully replenish stocks.
The U.S. has a limited number of these missiles in stock, and if a full-scale war with China or Iran begins, they could be rapidly depleted, potentially leaving the U.S. unable to intercept ballistic missiles.
Illustrative photo of the launch of an Iskander-M ballistic missile
However, even with a fourfold increase in production this will still not be enough. It should be noted that this is not the only weapon in the U.S. arsenal capable of countering ballistic missiles, and its production is actively expanding.
It is worth noting that this expansion of THAAD interceptors production capacity comes immediately after a similar framework agreement was signed between the U.S. Department of War and Lockheed Martin. Under this agreement, it is planned to triple the production of MSE interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system, which are also designed to intercept ballistic targets. More detailed information about the agreement has already been published.
THAAD / Photo credit: the U.S. DoW
It is also worth noting that the U.S. is working on expanding the production of SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles for its fleet, which are capable of intercepting hypersonic weapons such as russia’s Kinzhal and Zircon.
Cyclops interceptor missile / Photo credit: Long Wall
It is important to note that Iranian ballistic developments prompted the U.S. to introduce a low-cost, mass-produced replacement for THAAD—the Cyclops anti-missile. However, it is still in the development stage, and no orders have been placed yet.
Read more: Counter russia’s Iskander-M System: the U.S. Locks in LTAMDS Radar Production for Patriot System Through 2030
