Pentagon, lawmakers press munitions surge and explore coproduction with allies to rebuild supply chains

Lawmakers pressed Michael Duffy and service acquisition executives on rebuilding munitions production and mitigating supply-chain fragility after recent demands reduced U.S. stockpiles. Chairman Mike Rogers noted the department has seen stockpile reductions during support to Ukraine and called for expanding munitions production capacity. Duffy said he visited the Paris Air Show and met allied armaments directors and that the department is "partnered with the undersecretary of defense for policy to think through what are those conditions under which it's advantageous for us and our allies to enter a coproduction agreement."

Duffy and witnesses described factors that complicate coproduction: raw material limits, subcomponent constraints and workforce expertise. He said allied coproduction will require a holistic understanding of demand to justify industrial investments and highlighted the Defense Production Act (Title III) as a tool the department is using to strengthen specific sectors such as microelectronics and energetics. Members emphasized interoperability—using common munitions across allies so stocks and production can be shared when needed.

Representative Courtney and others highlighted the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) and similar targeted industrial-base investments as successful, agile models to expand capacity; members warned against organizational moves that could disrupt current programs. Duffy told lawmakers the department is exploring multiyear contracts and other demand-stabilizing tools to give industry the certainty needed to invest in supply chains and surge capacity.

Ending: Lawmakers directed DOD to continue consultations with allies and the committee as the department pursues coproduction and industrial-base investments; DOD committed to follow-up analyses and to use Title III and other authorities where appropriate.