Focus on Patriot and THAAD missile suppliesThe Pentagon’s latest push is aimed at rebuilding stocks of advanced air defence systems, including Patriot missile interceptors and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) systems. To address the shortage, the Pentagon has been working on agreements with defence manufacturers and technology companies to expand production. “Almost nothing has been contracted, and that is the problem,” said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defence Project at CSIS. However, efforts to increase defence production could face hurdles as a $1.15 trillion defence spending bill remains stalled in Congress, potentially delaying expansion plans. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the claims as “100 per cent fake news” and said Trump continues to have full confidence in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.