The Pentagon is reaching out to major American manufacturers about expanding weapons production as the United States faces growing strain on its military stockpiles. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, defense officials have begun preliminary discussions with leaders at companies such as General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh. The conversations focus on whether these firms could adapt their factories and workforces to help produce military equipment, including munitions, missiles, counter-drone systems, and other defense hardware. The idea is to supplement traditional defense contractors by using the broader industrial capacity of large U.S. manufacturers.
A Defense Department official said the goal is to quickly strengthen the nation’s defense industrial base by making greater use of commercial technology and manufacturing capability. The official said the Pentagon is working to incorporate American innovation wherever it can be found in order to increase production at scale and make supply chains more resilient.
The outreach to industry began before the conflict with Iran but has gained urgency as the administration of President Trump pushes to prepare the defense sector for potential wartime demands. The administration is also seeking a record $1.5 trillion defense budget that places heavy emphasis on munitions and drone systems.
U.S. inventories of some weapons are reportedly being depleted as a result of ongoing military demands tied to conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. The Independent reports that supplies of certain systems, including Tomahawk missiles, are being drawn down quickly.
During the discussions with industry leaders, defense officials asked executives what barriers might prevent companies from taking on additional defense production. Topics included government contracting rules and competitive bidding requirements that could slow or complicate the process.
The concept has historical precedent. During World War II, American factories were converted to produce military equipment in what became known as the “Arsenal of Democracy.” More recently, automakers temporarily shifted production lines during the COVID-19 pandemic to manufacture ventilators. Even so, a major expansion into defense production would represent a significant change for many of these companies, whose current defense operations account for only a small portion of their overall business.