Trump to address defense technology gathering as the Iran war has reduced US weapon stocks

July 15, 2026 - 04:21

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a defense technology conference hosted by the U.S. Army War College on Wednesday. The event comes at a critical moment, as the ongoing conflict with Iran has significantly drained American stockpiles of key munitions, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot and THAAD interceptor systems.

The president is expected to use the platform to promote increased investment in next-generation battlefield technology, arguing that modern warfare requires faster, more precise systems. Administration officials have privately acknowledged that the sustained campaign in Iran has put pressure on the defense industrial base, forcing the Pentagon to prioritize replenishment of certain high-demand weapons.

Military leaders have warned that the drawdown could affect readiness in other regions, particularly the Indo-Pacific and Europe. The summit will also feature demonstrations of drone swarms, hypersonic prototypes, and artificial intelligence-driven targeting tools. Trump's appearance is seen as an effort to shift the public narrative from resource strain to technological innovation, even as lawmakers on both sides question the long-term sustainability of the current operational tempo.