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President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to address growing challenges within the nation’s munitions industrial base, citing concerns about production capacity, supply chain vulnerabilities and the ability to sustain military readiness during extended conflicts.
In a presidential memorandum released Tuesday, the president warned that “systemic constraints” across the defense manufacturing sector could undermine the country’s ability to produce and replenish critical weapons systems, missiles, and military equipment needed for national defense.
The memorandum delegates authority to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth under the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era law that allows the federal government and private industry to enter voluntary agreements designed to strengthen national security capabilities.
Administration officials said the effort is intended to create a more resilient and collaborative defense production network.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Center for a New American Security, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi said the Pentagon wants the program to become a permanent capability.
“We want these to be set up as an enduring capability,” Cadenazzi said, according to CBS News. “So expect to see more of these.”
According to defense officials, the voluntary agreements would allow military contractors and suppliers to collaborate more closely to address manufacturing bottlenecks, supply chain disruptions, and production challenges affecting key weapons programs.
Concerns about U.S. defense production have intensified in recent years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which highlighted the importance of rapidly replenishing artillery, missile, and ammunition inventories. More recently, military operations involving Iran have renewed attention on stockpiles of advanced missile-defense systems and precision-guided munitions.
An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that U.S. forces used substantial portions of several key missile inventories during operations against Iran, including Patriot and THAAD interceptor systems, as well as other precision-guided weapons.
The push comes as the administration seeks additional defense funding to raise Pentagon spending to a record level. Supporters argue the investment is necessary to modernize military capabilities and prepare for potential future conflicts involving major powers such as China.
