The ongoing war with Iran has exposed long-standing weaknesses in the United States’ weapons production and military supply systems. Despite possessing advanced technology, the US defense industry is struggling to meet battlefield demands quickly. A New York Times report cited that producing a Patriot interceptor missile takes about 36 months and costs roughly $4 million each, while Iran produces hundreds of low-cost drones monthly at around $35,000 apiece. The US has already used more than 1,200 interceptors, raising concerns about supply shortages.

The situation has revived former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’s criticism of the Pentagon’s expensive and slow weapons programs. Current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is responding with a $1.5 trillion defense budget and plans to accelerate production. However, experts argue that increasing the budget alone will not solve the problem, emphasizing the need for structural reforms in procurement and production systems.

Analysts warn that without rapid reform, the US may struggle to maintain its “unmatched military capability” in future conflicts.