Lockheed Martin nearly doubles Javelin missile production

Lockheed Martin weapons factory in Troy, Alabama – Photo: CBS NEWS

CEO James Taiclet said in a radio interview CBS On May 8, Lockheed Martin’s goal was to increase production to 4,000 missiles per year, instead of the current 2,100 missiles per year. According to Taiclet, increasing production of Javelin missiles will take several years.

According to News Agency Reuters, in an effort to get the US Congress to pass a $33 billion aid package for Ukraine, President Joe Biden last week visited a Lockheed facility in Alabama. This is the place where weapons are manufactured by two US defense and aviation corporations, Lockheed and Raytheon Technologies.

Since Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, the United States has supplied $3.4 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine. This includes Javelin missiles as well as artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger systems, ammunition and armor.

“We can start ramping up production right away,” Taiclet said, adding that his company anticipates increased demand for “premium weapons systems”.

“We are planning for the long term and not just with the Javelin missile,” he said. He also said that the demand for arms sales of countries will increase in the context of political and military conflicts in many regions of the world.