AIA and Panetta (Updated)

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta plans to emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy industrial base when he meets with the Aerospace Industries Association at the Pentagon Tuesday morning, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today.

It "should be a productive discussion," he said. Little acknowledged the administration's efforts to cut security spending will likely be discussed, but he did not elaborate.

Update (3:50 p.m.): On Monday afternoon, Little commented further on Panetta's upcoming meeting with AIA:

The secretary is looking forward to hearing the views of industry leaders. He believes that a strong and healthy defense industrial base is vital to our national security, and that preserving the department's partnership with industry is a top priority. The secretary will emphasize the need for industry to work with the department to promote the twin imperatives of strong national defense and fiscal discipline. He believes that we can work together effectively to achieve that important outcome.