Pentagon officials reportedly met with GM, Ford, and other manufacturers. Wars in Ukraine and Iran are depleting America’s weapons stockpiles. GM already builds military vehicles, while Ford lacks a defense presence. Some 80 years ago, Detroit automakers stopped building civilian vehicles and switched to producing bombers, tanks, trucks, and aircraft engines. That massive pivot earned the industry the nickname “Arsenal of Democracy.” Now, as the war in Iran drags on and the one in Ukraine seems to have no end, the U.S. government is reportedly asking Detroit to go back to the battlefield. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, senior U.S. defense officials have begun asking America’s biggest automakers whether they could help produce weapons systems and military equipment. Executives from General Motors and Ford reportedly participated in early talks with Pentagon officials, along with representatives from companies including GE Aerospace and Oshkosh. More: GM Defense Has Built An Electric Hummer For The Military Rather than relying solely on traditional defense contractors, officials are evidently exploring whether companies already skilled at large-scale manufacturing could help churn out missiles, ammunition, counter-drone systems, and other equipment faster. Unlike the way things went back in the 1940s, shifting production from mid-sized crossovers to missiles would be quite complex. Of all the Detroit automakers, GM appears to be in the strongest position. The company already has a defense division that builds the Infantry Squad Vehicle for the Army, based on the Chevrolet Colorado platform. It is also believed to be a leading candidate to develop the Army’s next-generation Humvee replacement. Ford, on the other hand, hasn’t played a major role in defense manufacturing since WWII. So while GM could likely ramp up military production relatively quickly, Ford’s role remains far less obvious. With the Pentagon seeking a record $1.5 trillion budget, defense spending is likely to explode. The real question is whether Detroit can help arm America without sacrificing the cars and trucks that keep its factories humming, and if this production shift drives prices even higher than they already are. Photos GM Defence