The step, which follows a similar action taken by the Air Force releasing billions of dollars in payments, aims to offset revenue critical Pentagon vendors have lost in their non-military businesses as the spreading coronavirus has halted business activity nationwide.

The Defense Department has also increased contract awards, as it leverages its share of the annual defense budget of more than $700 billion to help keep suppliers alive.

Geurts wrote a memo to his staff on March 24, urging them to release or raising the withholding. It was not thinking about rectifying the root causes.

The move had been criticized by government waste watchdogs.

Although the Navy has not identified any firms that have received payments, it has been said by industry sources that the main contractors have been distributing coronavirus-related funds to their suppliers and subcontractors on far shakier financial basis.

The multi-layered supply chain of the Navy consists of companies carrying out the dream of President Donald Trump for a 350 Navy ship.

Maritime Business World