U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin announced that it is rapidly increasing production volumes of core missile and launch systems amid rising global demand and geopolitical risks. The company is making significant investments in the production infrastructure for critical missiles such as the PAC-3 MSE, GMLRS, PrSM, Javelin, JASSM, and LRASM to strengthen the deterrence capabilities of the U.S. and its allies.
Rising Capacity for PAC-3 MSE and GMLRS
Demand for air defense systems has increased significantly in the wake of conflicts in various regions. To meet this demand, Lockheed Martin has set critical production targets:
PAC-3 MSE: The company has delivered more than 2,500 PAC-3 MSE missiles to date. Currently, 650 PAC-3 MSE missiles are produced annually. However, the company—which is on track to produce more than 600 missiles for the first time in 2025—plans to further increase its production capacity. The PAC-3 MSE is an advanced air defense missile equipped with “hit-to-kill” kinetic energy technology, used against threats such as ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.
GMLRS: Global demand for GMLRS rockets, used for high-precision artillery support, has also risen significantly. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 75,000 rockets to date and is on track to reach an annual production capacity of 14,000 units. With a range of approximately 70–90 km, the GMLRS provides precision strike capability.
HIMARS Production Has Doubled
In addition to missile production, there has been a significant increase in launch system capacity.
HIMARS Launchers: The company is strengthening its HIMARS (HIMARS) production lines.
HIMARS is a truck-mounted rocket launcher system capable of firing missiles such as the GMLRS and PrSM. Thanks to its rapid deployment and post-firing relocation capabilities, it is ideal for “hit-and-run” tactics. Lockheed Martin’s aggressive production increase is a direct response to the high-paced supply and modernization needs of the global defense industry.
