Squaring the Circle Defense Industry, Wargaming, and National Security with Mark Cancian, CSIS
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Feb 26, 2025 AI Snips
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Defense Industrial Base Challenges
- The post-Cold War era saw a shrinking of the US defense industrial base due to decreased budgets and a shift towards less capital-intensive conflicts.
- Rebuilding this base requires not just increased production but also maintaining surge capacity for future conflicts, which presents a complex challenge.
Historical Lessons on Mobilization
- In World War I, the US relied heavily on foreign equipment due to late mobilization of its industrial base.
- World War II saw earlier mobilization, but it still took years for US forces to reach full production capacity, highlighting the need for pre-conflict readiness.
Key Takeaways from the Russo-Ukrainian War
- The Russo-Ukrainian conflict has highlighted the continued importance of artillery, especially unguided munitions, despite predictions about the dominance of precision strikes.
- First-person viewer drones have also proven surprisingly effective, requiring a significant increase in production and training to meet demand.
