Today, the Pentagon will host the leaders of eight leading US arms manufacturers to discuss the industry’s ability to meet Ukraine’s weapons needs if the war with Russia continues for years. This is reported by Reuters with reference to their own sources.

Demand for weapons has risen after the Russian invasion on February 24 prompted the United States and its allies to hand over weapons to Ukraine. It is expected that supply issues, as well as planning a longer war will be discussed at the meeting, Reuters’ source said on condition of anonymity. The Pentagon’s Procurement and Support Office will hold a 90-minute meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

The Pentagon says light weapons, such as Javelin anti-aircraft missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, delivered by Washington and its allies to Ukraine almost daily, are most useful to the Armed Forces. But intensive use, as well as good efficiency on the battlefield, require constant replenishment of these reserves. In addition, the Stinger is now in small production and requires updating due to the aging of this type of weapon.

Raytheon Technologies (manufacturer of Stinger), Lockheed Martin Corp (manufacturer of Javelin in collaboration with Raytheon), Boeing Co., Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics and L3Harris Technologies are expected to attend.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks recently said that the Biden administration is in a “constant dialogue” with the Ukrainian government discussing various weapons, including “long-range” weapons.