President Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to address growing constraints in U.S. weapons manufacturing and supply chains, according to a memo released Tuesday.
In the June 11 directive to the Pentagon, Trump said he had determined conditions exist that “may pose a direct threat to the national defense or its preparedness programs,” citing limited production capacity, fragile supply chains, long-lead dependencies, and other bottlenecks.
The memo highlights critical shortages in key sub-systems, including solid rocket motors, igniters, and guidance systems used in both legacy weapons and future modernization programs. Under the order, authority is delegated to the War Department to pursue voluntary agreements with private industry aimed at strengthening the defense industrial base.
