Defense Desk: Get Allies’ Aid on Missile-Making

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 1, 2026

The United States is experiencing a shortfall in munitions production due to reduced manufacturing capacity and misjudgments about the length of modern conflicts, as revealed by the ongoing war in Ukraine. To address this deficit, experts recommend increasing industrial collaboration with allied nations by easing technology-sharing restrictions to rebuild both munitions stockpiles and the production infrastructure needed for sustained military readiness.

The United States is facing a significant shortfall in munitions production, a problem largely attributed to diminished manufacturing capacity and overly optimistic expectations about the duration of modern conflicts, according to experts analyzing recent defense challenges. This gap was highlighted in the wake of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has underscored that contemporary warfare can be both intense and prolonged, contrary to earlier assumptions.

Previously, U.S. defense planning shifted after the Cold War from being strategy-driven to budget-driven, leading to reductions in industrial capabilities critical for sustained military engagements. The result is a munitions deficit that experts say hampers the ability to respond effectively to high-tempo conflict environments.

To address this, analysts argue that Washington needs to expand its collaboration with allied nations by leveraging their industrial bases to increase missile production and replenish depleted arsenals. However, current U.S. policies intended to safeguard sensitive technologies complicate such cooperation. These policies were originally designed to prevent advanced military technologies from falling into adversarial hands, which has limited the scope of industrial partnerships with allies.

Proposals have been put forward to introduce licensing exemptions that would enable trusted partners greater access to certain technologies under stringent security protocols. This approach aims to maintain control over sensitive equipment while allowing for more robust industrial cooperation. The objective is to rebuild not only the stockpile of munitions but also the underlying systems and collaborations necessary for sustained defense manufacturing capacity.

Experts emphasize that revitalizing the munitions arsenal should be accompanied by reconstructing the broader production infrastructure and international partnerships that support it. Expanding industrial collaboration among trusted allies is seen as essential to ensuring the United States can meet the demands of modern conflict and maintain military readiness over extended periods.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.