Biden praises Javelin work at Lockheed plant

President Biden traveled to a Lockheed Martin factory in Troy, AL today and spoke about the importance of the Javelin anti-tank missile in Ukraine's fight against a Russian invasion.

"You're allowing the Ukrainians to defend themselves, and quite frankly, we're making fools of the Russian military in many instances," he said before a crowd of factory workers.

The United States has sent more than 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion and Biden has recently requested billions in military aid so the United States can send even more and replenish U.S. stocks.

“This fight is not going to be cheap, but caving to aggression would be even more costly,” he said.

Biden’s $33 billion request for emergency supplemental funds for Ukraine includes $16.4 billion for the Pentagon. The request also includes $500 million to establish a new "Critical Munitions Acquisition Fund," which Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said will help surge production of “vital munitions” now and in the future.

Lawmakers and defense industry executives have voiced concern in recent weeks, however, that munitions production lines are stressed and might be unable to replenish U.S. stocks transferred to Ukraine.

Lockheed Martin chief executive James Taiclet said last week the company is planning to help increase production of the Javelin anti-tank missile, which it makes in partnership with Raytheon Technologies, as well as ramp up other weapon systems.