Key Takeaways
- Lockheed Martin received its first Patriot interceptor components from GM Defense.
- GM Defense delivered the parts just 22 days after signing the agreement.
- Lockheed Martin plans to invest $8 billion to $9 billion to expand munitions production.
Lockheed Martin has received its first shipment of Patriot Interceptor Parts from General Motors’ defense unit, accelerating weapons production as demand for missile defenses rises.
GM delivers Patriot components in 22 days
Lockheed Martin said Sept. 17 that GM Defense delivered the first batch of housing components for the Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor on Aug. 28 — the initial delivery of Patriot Interceptor Parts under the new agreement — just 22 days after the companies signed a manufacturing agreement Aug. 6.
The parts traditionally can take months or years to produce, according to Lockheed Martin. The faster delivery comes as the U.S. Pentagon seeks to expand weapons production and strengthen supply chains.
The Patriot missile defense system has become a major part of U.S. and allied efforts to counter ballistic missile threats. Ukraine has credited Patriot batteries with helping protect cities from Russian missile attacks since Russia invaded the country in 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for more Patriot launchers and interceptors as Russia continues airstrikes.
Lockheed and GM expand defense manufacturing
The new agreement follows a broader partnership announced by Lockheed Martin and GM Defense in June. The companies said they would work together to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base by using GM Defense manufacturing plants and laboratories.
The partnership is designed to increase production capacity and improve supply chain resilience for Patriot Interceptor Parts and other munitions as demand grows.
“This extraordinary 22-day turnaround underscores Lockheed Martin’s relentless focus on execution — delivering for our troops faster, with greater capacity,” Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a statement.
GM Defense President and CEO Stephen duMont said the company’s precision-fabrication expertise would support production of the country’s defense capabilities.
The collaboration comes as Lockheed expands its manufacturing capacity across the United States.
Lockheed plans billions in production expansion
Lockheed Martin is investing between $8 billion and $9 billion to increase munitions production, including the PAC-3 MSE, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Precision Strike Missile programs.
The company plans to add new buildings and jobs at more than 20 U.S. sites as part of the expansion. Lockheed said its production and warehousing space is expected to grow by nearly 50% after the planned projects are completed.
The PAC-3 MSE is one of several missile systems Lockheed is working to produce at higher volumes as the United States and its allies seek to expand defense inventories.
The first shipment from GM Defense marks an early result of the companies’ manufacturing agreement and comes as Washington pushes defense contractors to increase output and strengthen domestic production capacity, as reported.
