The Department of Defense and its contractors are turning to international manufacturing lines to increase weapons and ammunition stockpiles amid the Ukraine war and potential conflict with China, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
The U.S. government is also attempting to increase production of missiles, rocket motors, drones and other key technologies in Australia, Germany and Poland, among other countries, prompting vendors to push weapons production abroad to meet the rising demand worldwide.
DOD has moved to relax regulations for international weapons production and military technology sharing with foreign producers in allied countries as part of efforts to advance the approach called “friend-shoring.”
William LaPlante, undersecretary of DOD for acquisition and sustainment, said the Pentagon planned to disclose a collection of deals in the next several months to advance the establishment of weapons manufacturing lines in Europe and other locations.
“Where we’re headed is co-development, co-production and co-sustainment with our partners,” said LaPlante, a two-time Wash100 awardee.
According to the report, the current environment has driven agreements that will result in Javelin missiles being produced by companies in Poland and parts for the Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter jet being manufactured by German businesses.
