Pentagon Commits Over $135 Billion to Patriot Missiles, Nuclear Submarines as Trump Pressures Defense Contractors to Ramp Up Production

The Pentagon committed more than $135 billion on Wednesday to accelerate Patriot interceptor and nuclear-submarine production as President Donald Trump presses defense contractors to expand factories and prioritize output over shareholder payouts. 6 billion for PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors. The plan runs through fiscal 2032 and supports Lockheed’s goal of lifting annual output to 2,000 missiles and tripling capacity by 2030. The deal follows Trump’s pressure on contractors to quadruple production of critical weapons.

Congress must still appropriate money before the preliminary agreement reaches its full value. Demand has surged as the United States uses interceptors in Iran and supplies air defenses to Ukraine. S. holds fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptors.

Lockheed has also unveiled a lower-cost Patriot missile priced at less than half the roughly $4 million PAC-3 MSE. 6 billion for nine Virginia-class attack submarines and five Columbia-class ballistic-missile boats, with work expected through July 2038. " Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher said continuous production would deliver "the world’s most lethal, survivable and resilient combat platform" while stabilizing the shipbuilding base.

reached out to the Pentagon for additional details on both deals but did not hear back immediately. Defense ETFs Gain On Spending Boom The commitments reinforce a Pentagon restocking cycle. Lockheed and RTX Corp. (NYSE: RTX ) raised their 2026 forecasts as missile demand lifted sales and backlogs.

Investors can gain broader exposure through defense ETFs. S. 21% at net asset value since the beginning of the year. 23%.

11% year-to-date. 5 trillion defense budget, though the contracts still depend on congressional funding. Read Also: Elizabeth Warren Slams Trump's 'Pattern of Corruption,' Cites United Airlines, Toyota $1 Million Inauguration Donations Image via Shutterstock