Pentagon Holds Talks With GM, Ford and GE Aerospace Over Weapons Production Capacity

TLDR

• The Pentagon has held talks with GM, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh about shifting factory capacity to weapons production
• Talks began before the U.S.-Iran war but have been accelerated by depleted munitions stockpiles
• Defense officials asked companies if they could rapidly switch to making munitions, missiles, and counterdrone tech
• Trump has requested a $1.5 trillion military budget, the largest in modern history
• The move echoes WWII when Detroit automakers stopped making cars to produce military equipment

The Trump administration is asking major U.S. manufacturers — including General Motors and Ford — to take on a bigger role in weapons production. Defense officials have held early-stage talks with company executives about using their factory space and workers to make munitions and military equipment.

The talks are part of a push to put U.S. manufacturing on what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called a “wartime footing.” Senior defense officials met with GM CEO Mary Barra and Ford CEO Jim Farley, among others, according to people familiar with the discussions.

GE Aerospace and heavy vehicle maker Oshkosh were also part of the conversations. The Pentagon asked whether these companies could quickly shift to defense work and what obstacles might stand in the way, such as complex contracting rules or bidding requirements.

GE Aerospace, GE

Oshkosh, which already builds tactical troop carriers for the Army, entered talks with the Pentagon in November after Hegseth publicly called on companies to boost production. The company generates about $10.5 billion in revenue, most of it outside of defense.

The talks started before the war in Iran, but the conflict has added urgency. U.S. strikes on Iran have drawn down weapons stockpiles, adding to pressure that has been building since the U.S. began supplying Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Depleted Stockpiles Drive Urgency

Since 2022, the U.S. has sent billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to Ukraine, including artillery, ammunition, and anti-tank missiles. Military operations tied to Israel’s conflict in Gaza have also added to the drain on supplies.

Trump met with executives from seven defense contractors in March to discuss replenishing those stockpiles. The latest talks bring in commercial manufacturers who are not traditional defense companies.

The idea is not new. During World War II, Detroit automakers stopped building cars and instead produced bombers, aircraft engines, and military trucks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GM and Ford worked with medical device companies to produce ventilators.

GM Already Has a Defense Foothold

GM currently runs a defense subsidiary that makes a lightweight infantry squad vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado pickup. That program is a growing part of the business, though it still makes up a small share of GM’s overall revenue.

The automaker is also seen as a top contender to build a larger infantry squad vehicle for the Army — one that would replace the Humvee and serve as a mobile power and command base.

Trump this month requested a $1.5 trillion military budget, a $500 billion increase over current levels and the largest Pentagon budget request in modern history. The proposal includes major investment in munitions and drone manufacturing.

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