Senior defense officials from the United States have held discussions with leading manufacturers, including executives from General Motors and Ford Motor Company, to explore the possibility of producing weapons and military supplies, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The preliminary talks, which began before the escalation of tensions involving Iran, reflect efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to expand the country’s defense industrial base. Officials reportedly asked whether major manufacturers could rapidly shift production lines to support defense needs and supplement traditional contractors.
Moreover, companies such as GE Aerospace and Oshkosh Corporation were also involved in the discussions, which focused on leveraging commercial manufacturing capabilities during periods of heightened military demand. However, the companies have not publicly responded to the reports.
Meanwhile, a Pentagon official stated that the Defense Department aims to rapidly scale up production by utilising commercial technologies and industrial capacity to maintain military readiness.
In addition, the push comes as Washington seeks to replenish stockpiles depleted by recent conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing military operations in Gaza. The US has expended significant quantities of artillery, ammunition, and missile systems in these engagements.
Furthermore, President Trump recently met executives from major defense contractors as part of efforts to accelerate supply restoration. He has also requested a substantial $500 billion increase in the defense budget, raising it to $1.5 trillion, amid ongoing military pressures.
Overall, the initiative underscores a strategic shift toward integrating civilian industry into national defense production to meet evolving security challenges.
