US President Donald Trump has suggested that major American automakers such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company could soon begin manufacturing missiles and military hardware as Washington ramps up efforts to rebuild depleted weapons stockpiles.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump revealed that discussions are underway with several leading US manufacturers to convert parts of their civilian production lines into military manufacturing hubs. According to Trump, these talks include the potential production of advanced systems such as MIM-104 Patriot missiles and Tomahawk missile cruise missiles.
“They’re dealing with General Motors. They’re dealing with Ford. I know General Motors is all excited about building weapons now,” Trump told reporters.
Trump stated that some existing automotive plants could be retooled for defense production, calling the move part of a “big strong economic push” aimed at boosting America’s military-industrial output.
The comments come after an earlier report by the Wall Street Journal claimed that the Pentagon had approached General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh Corporation about converting civilian factories into weapons production facilities.
The reported discussions are part of a broader effort led by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to place American industry on a “wartime footing,” drawing comparisons to the historic industrial mobilization seen during World War II when Detroit’s automobile factories were transformed into military manufacturing centers.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the state of America’s weapons reserves following years of military aid to Ukraine and heavy missile usage during the recent US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Recent reports from US media and defense analysts indicate that Washington has significantly depleted critical munitions, including Patriot interceptors, THAAD missiles, Tomahawks, and other advanced precision-guided systems.
According to analysts, these shortages could impact future US arms shipments to NATO allies and potentially weaken America’s rapid-response capabilities in multiple global theaters.
Despite these concerns, Trump dismissed fears of a weapons shortage, saying the United States still possesses “quite a few” missiles but stressed the need for larger reserves to maintain military superiority.
To support this expansion, the Trump administration has proposed a record-breaking defense budget of nearly $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027, with a significant portion expected to go toward replenishing stockpiles and expanding domestic arms production.
The proposed industrial shift signals a major transformation in America’s manufacturing strategy, blending automotive production with defense priorities as geopolitical tensions continue to rise across Europe and the Middle East.