Trump to Urge Defense Contractors to Increase Weapons Output

President Trump is scheduled to meet defense executives and military leaders at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania on Wednesday to request faster weapons production. The roundtable concludes a two-day Defense and Innovation Summit hosted by Republican Sen.

Dave McCormick. Attendees include senior Pentagon officials, military commanders, defense companies, technology firms and investors. Trump is also expected to announce new defense investments based in Pennsylvania.

Supply Pressures Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen.

Dan Caine told industry leaders on Tuesday that the military needs faster output to match the pace of current conflicts. "What I need you to know, and I know this is simple for me to say, but hard to do, is to go faster. Please go faster. Think bolder," Caine said.

The U.S. has sent billions of dollars in weapons to allies and used large quantities of precision-guided munitions in its own operations.

Pentagon procurement official Michael Duffey said the department is using long-term contracts to encourage companies to expand capacity. He said roughly $20 billion in private investment is already linked to plans to increase production of Patriot missiles and other high-demand weapons. Established manufacturers and newer entrants are adopting technologies such as 3D printing to raise output.