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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.
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War Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing defense contractors to cut red tape, boost competition and rapidly expand U.S. weapons production. (Jose Luis Magana)
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.”
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A U.S. Navy ship launching Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles is pictured next to Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs)
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. factories dramatically expanded weapons production to supply American and Allied forces.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says America’s defense industry must innovate faster to rebuild weapons stockpiles and strengthen military readiness. (Estt/Getty Images)
The administration’s defense industrial strategy is to streamline Pentagon procurement, reduce bureaucratic barriers and bring more private companies and technology startups into the military supply chain.
The effort emphasizes commercial technology, faster production and greater competition among defense contractors and manufacturers.
Hegseth launched the nationwide tour earlier this year with a stop at a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, and has since visited defense manufacturing facilities across the country.
On Oct. 20, Hegseth toured Riverside Machine and Engineering in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, alongside Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and local lawmakers.
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President Donald Trump is pressing the U.S. defense industry to build weapons faster as his administration moves to expand military production. (Aaron Schwartz / AFP via Getty Images)
There, he touted what he called a “golden age of American manufacturing,” highlighting domestic supply chains and defense industry jobs.
The manufacturing push comes as the Pentagon seeks to strengthen U.S. weapons stockpiles and sustain military readiness amid threats from adversaries, including the almost eight-month war with Iran.
Following visits to U.S. Central Command operations in the Middle East, Hegseth emphasized the importance of expanding production of precision missiles, air defense interceptors and other critical weapons systems.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for further comment.