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Americans in 'War Mode': GM and Ford to Begin Weapons Production
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Conflict & Security

Americans in 'War Mode': GM and Ford to Begin Weapons Production

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford are preparing to produce weapons, including Patriot and Tomahawk missiles, as Washington boosts defense production.
  • The move is part of a "war footing" effort to expand the defense industrial base by leveraging commercial manufacturing capabilities.
  • This initiative aims to replenish U.S. missile stockpiles, which were significantly depleted during recent conflicts.

American automotive giants General Motors and Ford are set to begin manufacturing weapons, including advanced missile systems like the Patriot and Tomahawk, as the United States accelerates efforts to bolster its defense industrial base. Former President Donald Trump announced that the companies are repurposing unused factory capacity and have already secured agreements for missile-related production.

We are building many factories across the country. They are talking to General Motors and Ford. As far as I know, General Motors is very interested in this initiative and could reopen several factories.

โ€” Donald TrumpAnnouncing the involvement of U.S. automakers in weapons production.

Trump stated that General Motors is particularly interested in the initiative, potentially reopening several factories. This strategic shift is reportedly driven by the Pentagon's discussions with major automakers to rapidly increase weapons output. The effort has been described as operating on a "war footing," aiming to harness the commercial industry's capabilities to enhance U.S. military strength, a strategy historically employed during World War II and more recently for ventilator production during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have a lot of weapons, but we always want to ensure that we maintain even greater stockpiles.

โ€” Donald TrumpExplaining the rationale behind increasing weapons production.

The push to expand arms manufacturing comes amid concerns over dwindling U.S. missile stockpiles. Significant quantities of critical ammunition, especially Tomahawk cruise missiles, were expended during recent conflicts. The initiative also includes plans, reported by Bloomberg, for U.S. defense firms to establish licensed missile production in Europe and Ukraine.

We are operating in 'war mode,' aimed at leveraging the commercial industry to strengthen American military capabilities.

โ€” Pete HegsethDescribing the Pentagon's effort to boost defense production.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously raised the issue of licensed missile production with Trump, specifically requesting the capability to manufacture missiles for Patriot air defense systems. While Trump reportedly responded positively to the request for additional Patriot missiles, a final decision has not been publicly confirmed.

Trump also plans to encourage U.S. defense companies to establish licensed missile production in Europe and Ukraine.

โ€” BloombergReporting on Trump's broader strategy for international missile production.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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