Media: Pentagon seeks return of GM, Ford to military production

The Pentagon is reportedly considering involving Detroit-based automakers in weapons production amid depleted arsenals following two prolonged conflicts involving the United States.

The Pentagon has approached companies, including General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh, with proposals to support the production of weapons and military equipment, according to Carscoops, citing The Wall Street Journal.

Senior executives from these corporations are said to have participated in the talks.

The initiative reportedly aims to expand the defence industrial base beyond traditional contractors by leveraging companies with experience in large-scale manufacturing.

The goal is to accelerate production of missiles, ammunition, counter-drone systems, and other military hardware.

The report notes that the United States has done so before: around 80 years ago, Detroit’s auto industry was converted to wartime production during World War II, earning it the nickname the “Arsenal of Democracy.”

However, experts stress that in today’s conditions, transitioning civilian automotive production to weapons manufacturing would be significantly more complex and time-consuming.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov