Senior US defense officials have held early‑stage discussions with top executives from General Motors, Ford Motor, and other major manufacturers about the possibility of producing weapons and military equipment, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the talks.
The conversations broad, exploratory, and initiated before the war with Iran reflect the Trump administration’s push for large American manufacturers to take on a greater role in the defense supply chain. Officials reportedly asked whether automakers could rapidly shift into defense production if traditional contractors require support.
Companies including GE Aerospace and Oshkosh, a major vehicle and machinery maker, were also part of the discussions, according to the report. Reuters said it could not independently verify the information, and none of the companies responded to requests for comment outside business hours.
A Pentagon official told Reuters that the Defense Department is “committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”
The talks come as the Pentagon works to replenish stockpiles depleted by US strikes on Iran, as well as by years of supplying weapons to Ukraine and supporting Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Since 2022, the US has drawn down billions of dollars’ worth of artillery systems, ammunition, and anti‑tank missiles.
President Trump this month requested a $500 billion increase to the US military budget bringing it to $1.5 trillion amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
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