Modern War Institute The US Defense Industrial Base, from Steel to Software
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Jun 11, 2025 Becca Wasser is the Deputy Director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security and coauthor of a key report on revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base. In this discussion, she highlights the importance of integrating software and data in defense readiness. The conversation dives into the complexities of global supply chains, especially concerning semiconductors, and the urgent need for onshoring. Wasser also emphasizes the critical adaptability required in defense strategy to address contemporary military challenges for future conflicts.
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Defense Industrial Base Scope
- The defense industrial base today includes not only weapons manufacturing but also software and core components like semiconductors.
- It encompasses a vast network, including defense primes, new tech entrants, and lower-tier suppliers worldwide.
Broadening Defense Industry Inclusion
- Any company could be part of the defense industrial base depending on defense needs and contracts.
- Software and commercial off-the-shelf systems increasingly integrate into defense through partnerships and purchases.
Global Supply Chain Challenges
- Globalization and complex supply chains complicate defense planning because key components like semiconductors come from abroad.
- Conflicts in the Indo-Pacific will challenge supply chain reliability, emphasizing the need for onshoring and redundancy.
