Western Way of War Bad Procurement: A Peculiarly Western Issue?
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Oct 22, 2020 
In this engaging discussion, John Louth, a Defence Acquisition guru and expert in military procurement, dives into the intricacies of the military-industrial relationship. He highlights the 'conspiracy of optimism' in defense projects and the need for cultural change within procurement processes. Louth discusses the pitfalls of importing foreign models and advocates for a focus on whole life costs. With insights into long-term planning and operational adaptability, he presents a hopeful vision for future reforms in defense acquisition.
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Western Warfare Evolution
- The Western way of warfare has evolved from Cold War large-scale static conflict to technology-rich, smaller forces across multiple domains.
- This evolution impacts how military and industry relationships operate, shifting from traditional supplier roles to partnership models.
Industry's Role Shifted in Warfare
- The Cold War model treated industry as mere suppliers, with military exceptionalism dominant in operations.
- Post-Cold War out-of-area operations required frontline industrial involvement, marking a shift to a public-private enterprise model.
Tech Complexity Demands Industry Partnership
- Modern military technology is so complex it demands embedded specialist industry support during operations.
- This reliance suggests the military force model itself must adapt to support these sophisticated technological capabilities.