Predator drone maker asks Musk's DOGE to cut Pentagon red tape, letter shows

Source: Reuters

A leading defense manufacturer has asked the Trump administration to reform the Pentagon's contracting system, saying it was too slow and bureaucratic to combat threats from China and Iran, a letter reviewed by Reuters showed.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. sent the letter dated January 24 to billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been tasked with streamlining U.S. government efficiency as co-head of the Department of Operational Guidance and Efficiency.

The company, which makes the popular Predator drone, joins a growing list of firms that have viewed the DOGE efficiency panel as a route to lobby for the removal of rules that slow the sale of military equipment.

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Speeding up Pentagon contracting could potentially boost profits for companies that do business with the defense department. Companies normally pay lobbyists millions of dollars to advocate on their behalf.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/predator-drone-maker-asks-musks-doge-cut-pentagon-red-tape-letter-shows-2025-01-28/