Trump Administration Seeks $2 Billion to Stockpile Long-Range Missiles Used in Iran War

The Trump administration is asking Congress for nearly $2 billion to massively expand production of a long-range missile system that's already being expended in the president's ongoing military operations against Iran.

Budget documents released this week show the Army wants to purchase 1,134 Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) in fiscal year 2027 -- a nearly fourfold increase over the $546 million Congress allocated for the weapons in 2026. The missiles, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, can strike targets up to 310 miles away and cost roughly $1.7 million each.

The request comes as defense experts warn that Trump's Operation Epic Fury -- the military campaign against Iran that began in March -- is rapidly depleting U.S. weapon stockpiles. The PrSM made its combat debut during the opening days of that operation, which has now stretched into its second month with no clear end in sight.

Designed for China, Used on Iran

The missiles were originally developed for potential long-range combat in the Indo-Pacific, where military planners have long anticipated a possible conflict with China. But the Trump administration's decision to launch sustained strikes against Iran has diverted those weapons to the Middle East instead.

Defense analysts have repeatedly cautioned that burning through advanced munitions in one theater could leave the United States dangerously exposed in another. The concern is particularly acute given bipartisan warnings about China's military buildup and aggressive posture toward Taiwan.

The Army's budget request attempts to address that vulnerability by dramatically ramping up production. But there's a catch: $692 million of the nearly $2 billion price tag depends on Congress passing another reconciliation package in the future -- funding that doesn't currently exist.

Pay-to-Play Procurement

The timing of the request raises questions about the administration's procurement priorities. In March, the Defense Department announced a series of deals with major contractors to accelerate munition production, including an agreement with Lockheed Martin to speed up PrSM manufacturing timelines.

Lockheed Martin had already secured a $4.9 billion contract in 2025 to boost production of the missiles. The company is a major defense contractor with deep ties to Washington and a history of lobbying both parties for lucrative Pentagon deals.

It's unclear whether the Army's request to quadruple procurement funding is directly tied to the recent Lockheed Martin agreement, or whether the company's lobbying played any role in shaping the budget proposal. The Defense Department did not respond to questions about the decision-making process.

Arsenal Depth Crisis

The broader issue is that Trump's military operations are outpacing the Pentagon's ability to replenish stockpiles. The Army's overall missile budget request jumped to more than $35 billion for fiscal 2027 -- up from about $6.5 billion received in 2026.

That massive increase covers not just the PrSM, but also Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and the Mid-Range Capability missile. All of these weapons are being consumed faster than they can be replaced.

The situation mirrors concerns that emerged during the U.S. support for Ukraine's defense against Russia, when officials warned that sustained weapons transfers were depleting American arsenals. Now, with Trump's Iran war adding another drain on stockpiles, the problem has intensified.

Defense contractors are the clear winners in this scenario -- Lockheed Martin alone stands to collect billions in new contracts. But the strategic question remains: Is the United States trading long-term readiness for a Pacific conflict in order to sustain Trump's Middle East military campaign?

Congress will have to answer that question when it considers the Army's budget request. And it will have to do so knowing that $692 million of the funding doesn't actually exist yet, requiring lawmakers to pass additional spending bills to make the procurement plan work.

For now, the missiles keep flying, the stockpiles keep shrinking, and the defense contractors keep cashing checks.