Pentagon approaches automakers, manufacturers to boost weapons production, WSJ reports

FILE PHOTO: The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 9, 2020. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo)

April 15 (Reuters) - Senior U.S. defense officials have held talks about producing weapons and other military supplies with top executives of companies including General Motors and Ford Motor, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The preliminary and wide-ranging talks, which started before the war in Iran, come as the Trump administration wants automakers and other American manufacturers to play a larger role in weapons production, the Journal said.

Defense officials told the newspaper that American manufacturers might be needed to backstop traditional defense contractors and asked whether the companies could rapidly shift to defense work.

GE Aerospace and vehicle and machinery maker Oshkosh were among the companies involved in the talks with defense officials, the Journal added.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace and Oshkosh did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment outside regular business hours.

A Pentagon official told Reuters in a statement 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".

Trump met executives from seven defense contractors in March as the Pentagon works to replenish supplies used in U.S. strikes on Iran and other recent military operations.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Israel's military operations in Gaza, the U.S. has drawn down billions of dollars' worth of weapons ​stockpiles, including artillery systems, ammunition and anti-tank missiles.

Trump this month requested a massive $500 billion increase in the military budget to $1.5 trillion, amid the U.S. war against Iran.    

(Reporting by Fabiola Arámburo in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Jamie Freed)