The Pentagon has unveiled its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy, warning that a failure to modernize the defense industrial base could expose the U.S. to heightened technological risks and cyberattacks. The strategy focuses on four long-term priorities, including resilient supply chains, workforce readiness, flexible acquisitions, and economic deterrence. It aims to improve collaboration with federal departments, particularly to prevent cyberattacks on the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The strategy aligns with the Pentagon’s 2022 national defense strategy, emphasizing the need to strengthen deterrence against China and reduce dependencies on technology from adversarial nations.
The Department of Defense’s strategy responds to the rising threat of cyberattacks on the defense industrial ecosystem, as evidenced by recent supply chain attacks. These include North Korean hackers infiltrating trading software and Russian military intelligence exploiting vulnerabilities in widely-used software. The Pentagon recognizes the mutual reinforcement of economic security and national security, emphasizing the interconnectedness of industrial and military strength. The guidance calls for coordinated efforts with interagency partners, notably through Project Spectrum, to enhance readiness, resiliency, and compliance in small manufacturers and the federal manufacturing supply chain.
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William A. LaPlante describes the strategy as groundbreaking, acknowledging the inseparability of America’s economic and national security. The Pentagon aims to eliminate defense industrial dependencies on technology from hostile nations, addressing mounting national security challenges. The strategy underscores the need for comprehensive efforts to mitigate supply chain risks and calls on the Defense Department to collaborate with Congress and stakeholders in achieving these objectives. Overall, the strategy seeks to bolster the nation’s defense against cyber threats and strengthen the overall industrial foundation.
