Defense CEOs Meet Trump at White House to Discuss Weapons Output

The CEOs of Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell arrived at the White House on Wednesday for a meeting with President Donald Trump, cnbc.com reported. The session took place as the administration presses contractors to increase output of missiles and munitions amid U.S. military operations in Iran.

The Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a $35.3 billion sole-source contract to produce THAAD interceptors through June 2032, with $842.9 million obligated at the time of award. The agency also awarded Raytheon a $398.7 million contract for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles that includes sales to the U.S. government.

The White House asked Congress for $87.6 billion in supplemental spending, primarily to cover costs of the Iran war. On Tuesday the Senate adopted a resolution directing President Trump to end U.S. hostilities with Tehran.

President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act earlier this month to speed weapons manufacturing. Last week a Senate committee approved legislation that would require defense contractors to obtain Pentagon approval before conducting stock buybacks or issuing dividends. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated at the White House on Wednesday that the U.S.

Possesses the industrial capacity to raise weapons production. He cited more than $50 billion in U.S. defense sales to Europe and Canada last year along with a roughly $300 billion order book. The administration seeks expanded output of Patriot interceptors, THAAD interceptors, Tomahawk cruise missiles and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

Industry executives have warned that major investments will require additional congressional funding. Scaling weapons production typically occurs over years rather than months.