Lockheed Martin signed a framework agreement with the Defense Department to quadruple production of the anti-missile battery known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD. Under the deal, annual output will rise from 96 of the interceptors to 400. (Lockheed Martin)

Defense giant Lockheed Martin has secured a new deal with the Pentagon to sharply boost production of missile defense interceptors.

The agreement aims to quadruple production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, interceptors from 96 to 400 per year, the company said Thursday in a statement.

The advanced anti-missile battery has been deployed to the Middle East amid concerns about attacks on U.S. bases and regional partners by Iran or regional proxy groups. The U.S. also has positioned it in Israel to strengthen missile defenses.

The rapid production expansion appears to signal Pentagon concerns about missile threats and interceptor shortages.

A separate agreement signed earlier this month between Lockheed and the Pentagon is intended to accelerate production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors for Patriot air defense systems.

Those systems operate at lower altitudes as part of a layered missile defense architecture.

While Lockheed and the Pentagon have agreed on a framework to expand THAAD production, the first binding production contract will be awarded when Congress approves funding, which is expected later this year, the company said.

To support the anticipated increase in output, Lockheed broke ground Thursday on a new munitions acceleration center in Camden, Ark.

The company plans to spend billions of dollars over the next three years to expand production capacity and modernize more than 20 facilities, according to the statement.