GM And Lockheed Martin Are Teaming Up To Boost U.S. Weapons Production

In recent months there has been an ongoing push among automakers to expand into the defense industry, and General Motors is the latest to do so.

The company’s GM Defense arm announced a new collaboration with Lockheed Martin to “strengthen America's manufacturing and defense industrial base.” Facilitated by the U.S. Department of War, the deal is said to combine Lockheed Martin’s defense production expertise with GM’s advanced industrial capabilities in high-rate commercial manufacturing and engineering.

The cooperation between the two giants will focus on three areas: strengthening defense supply chains, advancing manufacturing and design capabilities, and expanding production capacity through commercial manufacturing expertise and infrastructure.

GM May Build Parts For Lockheed Martin Weapons

At first, the two parties will explore ways to accelerate production readiness and apply proven commercial manufacturing approaches to support defense production requirements, GM Defense and Lockheed Martin said in a joint statement.

"America's security depends not only on developing advanced technologies, but on our ability to produce them quickly, reliably and at scale," said Frank St. John, chief operating officer, Lockheed Martin. "This collaboration brings together two leaders in American manufacturing and innovation to explore new ways to strengthen the defense industrial base, expand production capacity and accelerate delivery of critical capabilities for the United States and its allies.”

GM Defense president Steve duMont added that by working together, the two companies “will further strengthen American manufacturing and national defense by driving greater speed, efficiency, and innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors.”

While duMont said GM Defense and Lockheed Martin will work together in the coming weeks to identify initial projects to pursue together, The Wall Street Journal reported that GM would be making parts for the defense contractor’s weapons, helping it bolster munitions production.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report said the companies are discussing which components GM could potentially build. The deal comes as the U.S.-Iran war and supplies sent to Ukraine in recent years have depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles.

According to a June 10 Reuters report, the Trump administration planned to meet executives from the biggest U.S. defense contractors at the White House to discuss accelerating production.

These Automakers Are Already Pivoting To The Defense Sector

Major carmakers have heavily pivoted toward the defense sector in recent months, inking deals to supply military vehicles, anti-drone platforms, and weapons components amid global security concerns and slowing EV sales.

Ford entered early-stage discussions with the U.S. government and European defense departments to supply militarized versions of its F-Series Super Duty trucks, while Volkswagen Group showcased militarized vehicles based on the Amarok pickup and Crafter van at European trade shows. VW Group also entered talks with state-owned Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to build components for air-defense systems at one of its German plants.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz partnered with Munich-based startup Tytan Technologies to adapt the G-Class SUV and Sprinter van into intercept vehicles fitted with mobile air-defense systems capable of countering hostile drones.

Finally, France’s Renault also partnered with defense tech company Thales to develop a tactical military vehicle equipped with drone capabilities and vehicle-to-load systems.

View the full article