The administration of Donald Trump is set to hold a high-level meeting with executives from the largest US defense contractors at the White House on Friday, March 6, as Washington moves to fast track weapons production amid mounting military demands.
According to five individuals familiar with the matter, companies including Lockheed Martin and RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, have been invited to participate. The discussions are private.
Urgent Push to Replenish US Weapons Stockpiles
The meeting highlights growing urgency within the Pentagon to rebuild weapons inventories following recent military strikes on Iran and other ongoing global operations.Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, the United States has drawn down billions of dollars in military stockpiles. These include artillery systems, ammunition, anti tank missiles, and longer range missile systems. The Iran conflict has reportedly consumed longer range munitions beyond those supplied to Kyiv.
One source indicated that the White House gathering is expected to focus on increasing pressure on defense manufacturers to speed up production timelines.
Supplemental Budget of $50 Billion Under Review
The White House meeting comes as Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg leads efforts at the Pentagon to prepare a supplemental budget request of approximately $50 billion. The funding package, which could be released as early as Friday, is intended to replenish weapons used in recent conflicts, including operations in the Middle East. Officials noted that the figure remains preliminary and may change.In a social media post earlier this week, Trump stated that the United States has a virtually unlimited supply of munitions and said wars can be fought indefinitely using current supplies.
Tomahawk Missile Production and Pentagon Procurement Plans
The recent strikes on Iran involved the deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles, F 35 stealth fighter jets, and low cost one way attack drones.Raytheon, now part of RTX, has reached a new agreement with the Pentagon to gradually increase Tomahawk missile production to 1,000 units annually. The Pentagon currently plans to procure 57 Tomahawk missiles in 2026 at an average cost of $1.3 million per unit.
Defense Contractors Face Increased Oversight
The administration has been intensifying scrutiny of defense contractors, urging them to prioritize weapons output over shareholder returns.In January, President Trump signed an executive order directing officials to identify contractors that are underperforming on federal contracts while distributing profits to shareholders. The Pentagon is expected to release a list of companies deemed underperforming.
Firms named on the list will have 15 days to submit board approved corrective action plans. If the Pentagon determines the response is insufficient, enforcement measures may follow, including potential contract terminations.
The upcoming White House meeting signals a decisive effort to expand US weapons manufacturing capacity amid heightened global military engagements and increasing pressure on the defense industrial base.
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