DoD urges more competition in call to shake up US defence industrial base
The number of US companies producing tactical missiles has fallen from 13 to just three over the last three decades. (Photo: US Army)
In its ‘State of Competition within the Defense Industrial Base’ report, the DoD warns that the trend of industry consolidation over the last three decades has created ‘a national security and economic risk to the nation’.
The DoD is eager to increase competition within the US defence industrial base (DIB), in order to
maintain the readiness of the armed forces, enhance the vendor base and make progress on acquisition and development programmes.
In a 15 February report called ‘State of Competition within the Defense Industrial Base’, the DoD described a substantial decrease in the number of manufacturers in major weapons system categories.
The report follows the guidelines of Executive Order 14036 on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, issued by President Joe Biden in July 2021. The Executive Order stated that ‘a fair, open, and competitive marketplace has long
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Ukraine turns legacy Kongsberg land turrets into semi-autonomous USV weapons]()
Ukraine turns legacy Kongsberg land turrets into semi-autonomous USV weapons
The company told Shephard that Ukraine is operating modified Protector weapon stations originally supplied for armoured vehicles, with human operators authorising engagements from hundreds of kilometres away.
-
![UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour]()
UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
-
![Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era]()
Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
