Frank John on defense spending
From Lockheed Martin COO says the quiet part out loud about another war in the Middle East · · More Perfect Union
“I would say we are in probably the beginning of a 3 to 5 year surge in defense spending, especially here in Europe. Now we're starting to see those budgets come into play in the European countries as well as some increases back in the US domestically, so I think for the next 3 to 5 years budgets are going to be pretty substantial.”
On , Frank John, Chief Operating Officer at Lockheed Martin Corp, spoke about defense spending during Lockheed Martin COO says the quiet part out loud about another war in the Middle East on More Perfect Union.
About Frank John
Frank St. John, Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, said in July 2025 that the world is "in probably the beginning of a 3 to 5 year surge in defense spending," particularly in Europe, and that budgets "are going to be pretty substantial" over that period. He stated that Lockheed Martin is "really proud to be part of bringing President Trump's vision to pass" regarding the proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system, and described a three-to-four-year timeline for fielding a basic capability as "very realistic." St. John also noted that the company's supply chain is "the thing that is pacing the ramp-up of capabilities" and that the industrial base remains "fragile" following the pandemic and recent conflicts. St. John has discussed Lockheed Martin's expansion in India, stating the company has built a supply chain ecosystem with over 500 suppliers over 15 years and has exported $700 million from the country. He said the company aims to "start delivering platforms out of India" and produce munitions there, which he said could increase revenue and exports "by an order of magnitude over the next 3 to 5 years." In a 2024 interview, St. John said the company has been able to work with administrations as they transition, and that its mission is to "provide effective deterrence capability." He also described managing the corporation by organizing and communicating strategy through a large organization, and said he prioritizes making teammates and customers successful.