- GM Defense and Lockheed Martin are joining forces in a new partnership.
- It aims to accelerate the delivery of critical weapons and defense capabilities.
- Tie-up was facilitated by the government and appears focused on manufacturing.
The Pentagon has been pushing automakers to play a larger role in the military-industrial complex and General Motors is abiding by announcing a memorandum of understanding with Lockheed Martin. The partnership was “facilitated” by the Department of War and aims to “strengthen America’s manufacturing and defense industrial base.”
Under the terms of the deal, GM Defense and Lockheed Martin will explore opportunities to accelerate the delivery of critical weapons and defense capabilities. Specifics are hazy, but the partnership aims to combine Lockheed’s military know-how with GM’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
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GM said initial efforts will explore ways to “accelerate production readiness and apply proven commercial manufacturing approaches to support defense production requirements.” The automaker added the collaboration has three primary objectives including “strengthening defense supply chains, advancing manufacturing and design capabilities, and evaluating opportunities to expand production capacity through commercial manufacturing expertise and infrastructure.”
Production seems to be one of the key themes and Lockheed Martin COO Frank St. John alluded to this as he said, “America’s security depends not only on developing advanced technologies, but on our ability to produce them quickly, reliably and at scale.” GM echoed this by saying the “collaboration reflects growing demand for greater production capacity, supply chain resilience, and manufacturing agility across the defense sector.”
As you’re undoubtedly aware, the United States’ arsenal has been strained by a series of conflicts including the war in Ukraine and Iran. While Lockheed is best known for their aircraft, the company also makes Patriot missiles, which have been used extensively in the skirmishes.
While it’s not entirely clear how the partnership will shake out, GM Defense President Steve duMont said the two companies will “identify initial projects to pursue together” in the coming weeks.
