Pentagon Seeks Automakers, Companies to Boost Arms Production

Senior defense officials hold talks with GM, Ford, and others about expanding manufacturing capacity for weapons and military equipment.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:18am

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting the fragmented, overlapping forms of a military vehicle or weapon, conveying a sense of motion and urgency through the use of bold, geometric shapes and colors.The Pentagon's push to enlist commercial manufacturers in the effort to boost arms production reflects the growing strain on the U.S. defense industrial base.Oshkosh Today

The U.S. Department of Defense is reaching out to major American manufacturers, including automakers like General Motors and Ford, to help boost domestic arms production capacity. Senior Pentagon officials have held preliminary discussions with these companies about potentially shifting some of their production facilities and personnel to support the manufacture of ammunition, missiles, anti-drone technology, and other military equipment as existing stockpiles are depleted by ongoing conflicts.

Why it matters

The Pentagon's outreach to the commercial sector reflects growing concerns about the U.S. defense industrial base's ability to rapidly scale up production of critical military supplies. With the wars in Ukraine and Iran straining ammunition and equipment stocks, the Defense Department is looking to leverage the manufacturing expertise and capacity of companies outside the traditional defense industry.

The details

According to sources, the Pentagon has held talks with executives from companies like GM, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh about potentially redirecting some of their production to support defense needs. Officials have asked if these firms could quickly shift to making weapons, ammunition, and other military goods, and have inquired about any obstacles they might face in fulfilling additional defense orders.

  • The discussions began even before the outbreak of the war in Iran.
  • The Pentagon ramped up its outreach efforts in recent months as the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran depleted U.S. stockpiles of ammunition and other critical military equipment.

The players

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Secretary of Defense who has called on companies to increase defense production capacity.

Mary Barra

CEO of General Motors, one of the automakers that has held talks with the Pentagon.

Jim Farley

CEO of Ford Motor, another automaker that has engaged with the Defense Department.

Logan Jones

Director of transportation segment development at Oshkosh, a company that has participated in discussions with the Pentagon.

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What they’re saying

“Where could we direct this potential in such a way that it meets our core capabilities?”

— Logan Jones, Director of transportation segment development, Oshkosh

“The Department of Defense is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to provide our military with a decisive advantage.”

— Pentagon spokesman

What’s next

The Pentagon is expected to continue its outreach to automakers and other manufacturers in the coming weeks and months as it works to bolster domestic arms production capacity.

The takeaway

The Pentagon's efforts to engage the commercial sector reflect the growing strain on the U.S. defense industrial base and the need to rapidly scale up production of critical military equipment. This shift towards leveraging the manufacturing expertise and capacity of non-traditional defense companies could have significant implications for the future of the U.S. arms industry.