Hegseth unleashes Trump's 'Arsenal of Freedom' with warning to defense giants
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth put weapons manufacturers on notice Thursday as the Trump administration pushes to cut Pentagon red tape, expand competition and accelerate American weapons production as part...
By Fox News · Fox News
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth put weapons manufacturers on notice Thursday as the Trump administration pushes to cut Pentagon red tape, expand competition and accelerate American weapons production as part of its "Arsenal of Freedom" initiative. In a video shared on X , Hegseth highlighted Washington's drive to overhaul defense procurement, expand private-sector competition and speed up production of advanced weapons systems. "The Arsenal of Freedom has been UNLEASHED," Hegseth posted. AMERICA FACES A CRISIS IN OUR MILITARY ARSENAL THAT TRUMP IS RACING TO FIX The video features missile launches, naval weapons systems firing, ammunition production lines and workers signing munitions for U.S. forces. Hegseth also stressed that performance, not a contractor's name, should determine which companies supply America's military. "I don’t care what company is on the side of the rocket. Don't care. The only thing we ask ourselves is, is it the best?" Hegseth said in the video. "The technology that you build for our missiles, interceptors and hypersonic weapons is what allows the War Department to achieve peace through strength," Hegseth continued. "And that mission comes with a non-negotiable mandate straight from the Resolute Desk and President Trump: build more and build faster." MORE THAN HALF OF SOME US WEAPONS STOCKPILES USED IN IRAN WAR, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT CHINA THREAT Hegseth framed the manufacturing push as central to strengthening American military readiness and deterring foreign adversaries. "When we unleash industry—when we at long last unleash the raw, competitive, and patriotic spirit—the United States of America always wins," he said. "When we compete, we win. When we innovate, we win. When we go fast, we win. We're equipping our warriors for the future right here and right now, made in the United States of America, and we're doing it at light speed." The "Arsenal of Freedom" campaign echoes America's World War II-era "Arsenal of Democracy," when U.S. facto…