President Donald Trump said the largest US defense manufacturers had agreed to boost production of some weapons following a meeting at the White House, amid worries that the war against Iran is depleting Pentagon stockpiles.

Switzerland plans to buy only about 30 Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 fighter jets from the US and considers purchasing a European-built air defense system to make up for delays of an existing procurement.

Top defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corp. and RTX Corp. are set to meet at the White House as the Pentagon pushes to speed weapons production for an escalating war on Iran.

Defense stocks surged Monday as military attacks escalated across the Middle East, with operations in the region underscoring that air and naval assets remain central to military strategy, which is likely to support the proposed US $1.5 trillion defense funding request. The group has rallied over the past year as global tensions intensified following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the US ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and President Donald Trump’s threats about taking over Greenland, which further fueled the rush into defense stocks. Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Defense Analyst Wayne Sanders joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss. He speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. (Source: Bloomberg)

Lockheed Martin Corp.’s record F-35 deliveries last year come with a caveat: Slightly less than half of the 191 jets the US accepted in its largest weapons program should have been delivered about two years ago, according to the Pentagon.

US defense stocks are off to a strong start in 2026, extending last year’s stellar performance as geopolitical tensions ratchet higher and military spending plans rise to match them.

US defense stocks are off to a strong start in 2026, extending last year’s stellar performance as geopolitical tensions ratchet higher and military spending plans rise to match them.

In a head-spinning series of social media posts on Wednesday, President Donald Trump demanded a $500 billion increase in annual defense spending but threatened to cut out some of the companies poised to profit the most from the boost.

President Donald Trump threatened to stop doing business with defense contractor RTX Corp. unless the maker of Patriot missile systems invests more in its production capabilities in a sign of mounting frustrations with the industry.

Lockheed Martin Corp. struck a tentative deal with the Pentagon that’s meant to triple production of its Patriot air-defense missile, part of a broader US push to speed up weapons output and meet global demand for a highly sought-after weapons system.

Canada’s industry minister is planning to meet with executives at Lockheed Martin Corp. soon to try to leverage more jobs out of a multibillion-dollar deal to acquire fighter jets.

Tory Bruno, the chief executive officer of Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.’s rocket joint venture United Launch Alliance, has resigned after serving in the position for nearly 12 years.

Lockheed Martin Corp. has opened a new lab focused on hypersonic weapons in Alabama, as the US struggles to catch up with China and Russia in deploying the advanced technology.

Lockheed Martin Corp. has opened a new lab focused on hypersonic weapons in Alabama, as the US struggles to catch up with China and Russia in deploying the advanced technology.