The U.S. defense industrial base is not adequately prepared for the
international security environment that now exists. In a major
regional conflict—such as a war with China in the Taiwan
Strait—the U.S. use of munitions would likely exceed the current
stockpiles of the U.S. Department of Defense. According to the results
of a series of CSIS war games, the United States would likely run out
of some munitions—such as long-range, precision-guided
munitions—in less than one week in a Taiwan Strait conflict. The war
in Ukraine has also exposed serious deficiencies in the U.S. defense
industrial base and serves as a stark reminder that a protracted
conflict is likely to be an industrial war that requires a defense
industry able to manufacture enough munitions, weapons systems, and
matériel to replace depleted stockpiles. As timelines for a possible
conflict in Asia shrink, the goal should be to support the production
capacity required to enable the United States and its allies and
partners to deter and, if deterrence fails, fight and win at least one
major theater war—if not two. “Just in time” and lean
manufacturing operations must be balanced with carrying added
capacity. The U.S. Department of Defense, in coordination with
Congress, should develop a plan now that involves taking steps to
streamline and improve production, acquisitions, replenishment,
Foreign Military Sales, ITAR, and other policies and procedures. A
revitalization of the defense industrial base will not happen
overnight for the United States or its allies and partners. It is time
to prepare for the era of competition that now exists.
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The Challenge to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9798216359371
Publisert
2025
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Bloomsbury USA
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter