OSHKOSH, WIS. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toured Oshkosh Corp. in Oshkosh, Wis. On Aug. 24, 2026, to promote a $1.5 trillion defense budget request. The visit was part of the "Arsenal of Freedom" initiative designed to celebrate U.S. military manufacturing.

Hundreds of Oshkosh Corp. employees gathered in a Wittman Regional Airport hangar for the event. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman attended the tour alongside Hegseth.

Oshkosh Defense produces tactical vehicles and other military equipment. The company holds several active contracts with the U.S. military.

Hegseth stated the department would grow the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force under the budget request. He emphasized the connection between industrial capacity and military readiness during his address. "We don't have the helmets without the hard hats, and we don't have the warriors without the workers," Hegseth said.

The Defense Secretary outlined a shift in strategy for defense contractors. "I want all of our defense contractors to pivot, and that’s why we are doing this Arsenal of Freedom tour -- pivot to a wartime footing and build for victory," he said.

Hegseth criticized past approaches to defense procurement and industrial investment. "For too long we outsourced those capabilities, or we didn't invest in our defense industrial base, and we allowed our defense companies to effectively become appendages of government," he said.

He described the current effort as a correction to historical neglect. "It’s absolutely necessary. When you look under the hood and you understand the nature of the threat, you understand the negligence of previous administrations, the deferred maintenance. It is what we must provide for the necessity of today’s warriors, Hegseth said."

The administration seeks to expand the pool of eligible manufacturers. We need more commercial companies in the Department of War space, Hegseth said. President Donald Trump renamed the U.S. Department of Defense to the Department of War.

Hegseth affirmed the department's commitment to domestic production. We are open for business for the best American manufacturers, he said. He linked the presence at the facility to broader strategic goals.

And part of doing right by them is being right here with you. It's why building our defense industrial base is part of our national defense strategy, Hegseth said. He projected long-term strategic benefits from the initiative.

We are laying the foundation for continued American dominance here at home, in our hemisphere, and around the globe for decades to come, Hegseth said. Hegseth's speech was streamed live on the U.S. Department of War Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Oshkosh Corporation leadership expressed support for the initiative. To us as a company and to all of our team members, the Arsenal of Freedom means we take American innovation, backed by American industrial might, powered by American workers, and we make happen what is supposed to be — in many cases — impossible," Oshkosh Corporation President and CEO John C. Pfeifer said."

Critics raised concerns about the scale of the spending request. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker criticized the visit as damage control. He issued a statement challenging the administration's economic priorities.

"Wisconsinites see through Republicans’ slimy sales pitch and are tired of footing the bill for foreign wars and tariffs that have crushed our businesses, farmers and manufacturers," Remiker said. Rep. Grothman stated that the Department of War needs to examine where it can cut its budget.

Grothman questioned the fiscal sustainability of the proposal. "It’s just too much. I mean, unless the president is very aggressive in cutting spending other places, which in the past, he has not been," Grothman said. The U.S. Treasury reports the United States currently has a deficit of over $40 trillion.

Why It Matters

The $1.5 trillion budget request represents a significant expansion of military spending during a national deficit exceeding $40 trillion. The Arsenal of Freedom initiative marks a strategic pivot toward integrating commercial manufacturers into the defense supply chain.

Oshkosh Defense has manufactured more than 25,000 joint light tactical vehicles for the U.S. armed forces and allied partners worldwide since 2015. Oshkosh Corporation has been building military vehicles for the United States and allies since 2015. The debate shows tensions between increased defense investment and fiscal constraints.

Timeline

On Aug. 24, 2026, Hegseth said, "I want all of our defense contractors to pivot, and that’s why we are doing this Arsenal of Freedom tour -- pivot to a wartime footing and build for victory." On the same date, he stated, "For too long we outsourced those capabilities, or we didn't invest in our defense industrial base, and we allowed our defense companies to effectively become appendages of government." Also on Aug. 24, 2026, John C. Pfeifer said, "To us as a company and to all of our team members, the Arsenal of Freedom means we take American innovation, backed by American industrial might, powered by American workers, and we make happen what is supposed to be — in many cases — impossible. The tour was part of the Arsenal of Freedom initiative to celebrate U.S. military manufacturing on Aug."

24, 2026. He said on Aug. 24, 2026, We don't have the helmets without the hard hats, and we don't have the warriors without the workers. He added on Aug. 24, 2026, It’s absolutely necessary. It is what we must provide for the necessity of today’s warriors. On Aug. 24, 2026, Devin Remiker said, Wisconsinites see through Republicans’ slimy sales pitch and are tired of footing the bill for foreign wars and tariffs that have crushed our businesses, farmers and manufacturers. Grothman said on Aug. 24, 2026, It’s just too much. I mean, unless the president is very aggressive in cutting spending other places, which in the past, he has not been.

What's New

Later reporting included Hegseth's statement: I want all of our defense contractors to pivot, and that’s why we are doing this Arsenal of Freedom tour -- pivot to a wartime footing and build for victory." Additional details captured Hegseth saying, "For too long we outsourced those capabilities, or we didn't invest in our defense industrial base, and we allowed our defense companies to effectively become appendages of government." Further reporting recorded Hegseth stating, "It’s absolutely necessary. Grothman's comment was also showed in later accounts: It’s just too much.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the specifics of Oshkosh Defense tactical vehicles.