GM in Talks to Build Parts for Lockheed Martin Weapons
General Motors (GM) is in discussions with defense giant Lockheed Martin about manufacturing components for weapons systems, according to people familiar with the matter.
The partnership would come as the Pentagon seeks to accelerate munitions production amid rising global conflicts and growing demand from U.S. allies. The Wall Street Journal reported the talks on Tuesday.
Under the proposed arrangement, GM would produce commonly used parts that could be incorporated into Lockheed Martin weapons systems, helping the defense contractor increase output of critical munitions. The companies are still determining which components GM could manufacture, the sources said.
The talks come as U.S. stockpiles of missiles and other key weapons have been strained by support for Ukraine and military operations in the Middle East, prompting the Trump administration and Pentagon officials to push defense contractors to expand production capacity.
GM Chief Executive Mary Barra has met with administration officials to discuss a broader role for the automaker in defense manufacturing, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The effort aligns with GM's strategy to expand its defense business and diversify revenue beyond its traditional automotive operations.
Pentagon officials have increasingly explored partnerships between defense contractors and commercial manufacturers as traditional weapons suppliers struggle to meet demand for strike weapons, missile interceptors and other systems consumed during recent conflicts.
For GM, the discussions represent the latest step in a nearly decade-long effort to rebuild its presence in the defense sector.
The automaker formally re-entered the market through its GM Defense subsidiary, which initially focused on military vehicle programs. The current negotiations would significantly broaden that mission into weapons-related manufacturing.
Lockheed Martin, one of the world's largest defense companies, produces the F-35 fighter jet, THAAD missile-defense systems and Black Hawk helicopters. The company has committed to increasing production of several munitions programs but has faced supply-chain constraints across its network of suppliers.
A potential agreement between GM and Lockheed would underscore a broader trend of automakers exploring defense-related work as global military spending rises and automotive production remains below historical peaks.
In Europe, Volkswagen has explored producing components for Israel's Iron Dome missile-defense system, while executives at Mercedes-Benz have publicly signaled openness to defense manufacturing opportunities.
Defense officials view the involvement of nontraditional suppliers as a way to expand America's industrial base and reduce bottlenecks in weapons production.
However, industry analysts note that advanced munitions manufacturing often requires specialized processes and certifications that differ substantially from commercial automotive production.
Some automotive suppliers have also expressed concerns about entering the defense sector, citing the complexity of military contracting, regulatory requirements and potential investor scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Jim Farley has said Ford Motor Company is engaged in discussions with the U.S. government on military-related projects, though those talks have focused on vehicles rather than munitions, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The discussions come as the Trump administration seeks a $1.5 trillion defense budget, a proposal that would mark the largest Pentagon budget in modern U.S. history and includes tens of billions of dollars for munitions, missile systems and drone manufacturing capacity.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.