Congress took 30 days to approve 10 Patriot missiles for Kyiv

General Motors (GM) is now manufacturing components for Patriot missile interceptors, marking a significant expansion for the automotive giant into the defense industry. Just 22 days after signing a contract with Lockheed Martin, GM Defense, the automaker's military subsidiary, delivered the first batch of housing components for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor.

This delivery follows a formal agreement signed on August 6. Tim Cahill, president of missiles and fire control at Lockheed Martin, called the turnaround "extraordinary." The demand for Patriot interceptors, especially the advanced PAC-3 MSE, has surged due to heightened tensions in conflicts like Ukraine and Iran. Despite the US defense industry's expansion in munition production, GM isn't building the entire interceptor.

However, this component production signifies a notable shift for a defense business primarily known for military vehicles. GM CEO Mary Barra highlighted defense as a growth business and expressed an aim for nearly $700 million in defense revenue this year. Ford CEO Jim Farley also noted ongoing discussions about Defense-related projects with the US government.

Both companies intend to apply their partnership to other future defense systems. GM Defense's President and CEO, Stephen duMont, expressed pride in supporting critical defense capabilities and anticipation of contributing to the nation's security.