The Pentagon has reached out to major U.S. manufacturers, including leading automakers, to assess options for increasing weapons production as ongoing conflicts put pressure on military inventories, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to the report, senior defense officials have begun preliminary discussions with executives from companies such as General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford Motor (NYSE:F) about redirecting parts of their production capacity and workforce toward the manufacture of munitions and other military equipment.
These talks come as the Trump administration looks to shift the defense industrial base onto a “wartime footing,” in response to sustained conflicts, including those in Iran and Ukraine, which have significantly reduced U.S. stockpiles.
Officials are evaluating whether commercial manufacturers can complement traditional defense contractors and quickly expand output of key systems such as missiles, drones, and other tactical equipment, the WSJ added.
The outreach effort also extends to industrial groups including GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) and Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK).
The initiative highlights increasing concern in Washington over constrained domestic production capacity, with the Pentagon turning more frequently to private-sector partners to strengthen supply chains and meet growing national security requirements.