Contract Resources Group’s Post

RAND has just published the Commission on the National Defense Strategy. As I read through the report, I’m left asking myself: Where do we see the United States in the coming years? Will it continue to be a beacon of freedom and prosperity, or will this cease due to increased challenges from rising global powers like China? This latest RAND report was requested by Congress to address pressing questions regarding the state of readiness to defend the United States’ way of life. The below are some key highlights I took away: • Recruitment Challenges: Only 23% of Americans meet the eligibility requirements for military service, prompting a reassessment of recruitment strategies and standards. • Advanced Funding Requirements: The report calls for robust and stable defense funding, emphasizing the necessity of investing in modern technology and infrastructure to meet future challenges. • Industrial Production Shortfalls: The U.S. defense industrial base faces significant challenges in scaling up production to meet demand, potentially impacting military readiness and strategic capabilities. • Emerging Strategic Needs: There’s an urgent requirement for a more adaptable and innovative approach to maintaining U.S. strategic interests amid evolving global threats. • Global Threats and Strategic Environment: Analyzes the threats posed by China, Russia, and other actors, including cyber and space domains, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategic deterrence. • Domestic Challenges and Vision for Success: Discusses domestic constraints, such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and budget limitations, and outlines a vision for overcoming these issues to strengthen national defense. • Integration of National Power: Highlights the importance of leveraging all elements of national power, including diplomatic, informational, military, and economic tools, alongside partnerships with allies and the private sector. • Innovation and Technological Advancement: Emphasizes the need for rapid adoption of new technologies and structural innovation within the Department of Defense to maintain a competitive edge. • Reassessment of Force Structure: Calls for a review and update of force-sizing constructs and capabilities to ensure alignment with current and future strategic demands. This report should serve as a critical resource for understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges we face. As mentioned earlier, this report was just briefed to Congress, and I am eagerly awaiting to see how lawmakers will respond to these pressing issues. #NationalSecurity #DefenseStrategy #MilitaryReadiness #Congress #USMilitary #DefenseFunding #IndustrialBase #GlobalSecurity #StrategicPlanning #MilitaryRecruitment #EmergingThreats #ModernWarfare #RANDReport #USDefense #InnovationInDefense #Policy #StrategicInterests #DepartmentOfDefense #DOD #DefenseInnovation #MilitaryLeadership #FutureOfDefense #Congress https://lnkd.in/eYVX-Fdg

🌐 The global security environment is changing rapidly, prompting the US to boost defense spending. According to GlobalData, US defense expenditure is set to reach $931.6 billion by 2028, up from $818.8 billion in 2023. 📈 🚀 Fox Walker, Defense Analyst at GlobalData, states, “The US is strengthening its defense posture to operate in a more uncertain geostrategic environment. This increase in spending will bolster US capabilities in a time of global conflicts.” The strategic investments aim to enhance readiness across multiple continents and emerging domains such as space and cyberspace. Explore more here: https://lnkd.in/gUTb2eFn #DefenseSpending #GlobalSecurity #MilitaryReadiness #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity #GlobalData

Strategic Context: The U.S. faces a dramatically changed global landscape compared to a few years ago, with simultaneous wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The defense capacity is stretched, and the industrial base struggles to supply adequate military equipment. Challenges: China’s increasing military capabilities and economic influence have undermined U.S. primacy. China’s strategy includes space, cyber, and conventional forces, positioning it as a near-peer competitor. The rise of a new authoritarian bloc (China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran) represents a significant global threat. Their cooperation challenges the U.S. in multiple theaters of conflict. Russia remains unpredictable, with a mass mobilization strategy that has shown the ability to absorb heavy losses, particularly in Ukraine. U.S. allies' support remains crucial, yet engagement in regions like Africa and the Arctic is faltering, giving adversaries room to expand their influence. Cyber & Technological Threats: Cyber warfare poses a direct risk to U.S. infrastructure, with both China and Russia capable of disrupting key services. The speed of technological development is outpacing the U.S. government’s ability to integrate new technologies into defense structures. Defense Readiness: The U.S. military is overburdened, and there is concern about whether the all-volunteer force can meet growing demands, especially in a multi-theater conflict environment. Recommendations for U.S. Strategy: Shift from a post-Cold War mentality to confront the new global security threats. This includes: Balancing investments in diplomacy, industrial capacity, and military modernization. Enhancing partnerships with allies and innovating in defense technologies. Adapting a multi-theater force structure that can handle conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Increasing defense spending, potentially up to Cold War levels, to fund modernization and readiness efforts. Build public support and awareness of national security risks, including reviving public trust in the military and reinvigorating interest in national service. Forge a national consensus on security priorities, emphasizing that U.S. leadership and defense are crucial for maintaining global order and economic stability.

Join Women in Defense Palmetto Chapter and the Charleston Defense Contractors Association for the Eastern Defense Summit next week in Charleston, South Carolina! 🔗 Register Now and save $100 to secure your spot:  https://lnkd.in/eWBX7KHW The Department of Defense (DoD) is participating in this event, and ALL business owners are encouraged to attend—especially women-owned businesses. This is your chance to connect and explore federal contracting opportunities. Federal agencies have set ambitious prime and subcontracting goals, and they’re held accountable each fiscal year. In FY2023, federal contracting hit a historic milestone: 28.4% of federal contract dollars—$178.6 billion—were awarded to small businesses, demonstrating the government’s strong commitment to supporting the small business economy. The DoD earned an “A” rating for achieving its small business and socio-economic contracting goals. Notably, Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) saw an 11% increase in federal contracting dollars in FY2023, with $30.9 billion awarded—up from $28.1 billion in FY2022. This is the highest dollar amount ever awarded to WOSBs! Don’t miss out on this incredible networking opportunity to engage with the DoD and other key federal agencies. Make your mark and join us in Booth 108! We can’t wait to see you there!

Very good article on DISA's current priorities and how Lt. Gen. Skinner is operationalizing the agency by adding an Intelligence (J-2) Staff to the command.

Click below for a brief, but insightful read on how the Pentagon's CJADC2 exercises exemplify a paradigm shift in military operations, showcasing how zero trust principles, data-centric security, and dynamic data sharing can revolutionize not only defense strategies, but also inform commercial enterprises on balancing data protection with mission-critical information exchange in an increasingly interconnected world. #zerotrust #collaboration #datacentricsecurity

Latest Developments in Global Defense and Security As the world grapples with evolving defense challenges, recent developments highlight a blend of political alliances, technological advancements, and renewed military recruitment efforts. Here’s a closer look at how nations are navigating these complexities. 1. U.S. Strengthens Support for Israel Amid Regional Tensions In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, the United States has reinforced Israel's defense infrastructure by deploying advanced air defense systems and additional troops. This move signals a deepened U.S. commitment to Israel's security, especially as regional volatility and threats from groups like Hezbollah increase. The deployment underscores the U.S. stance on maintaining stability and protecting American citizens in the area, sending a clear message to both allies and adversaries. 2. Russia-North Korea Alliance Raises Concerns in East Asia The growing military partnership between Russia and North Korea has stirred concerns, particularly around missile technology transfers. There is speculation that Russia may be sharing critical missile technologies with North Korea, potentially enhancing Pyongyang's military capabilities. This partnership has prompted countries like South Korea to intensify their own defense strategies, boosting alliances with the United States and Japan. This trilateral cooperation aims to counterbalance the emerging threats, creating a fortified front in East Asia against any destabilizing actions by North Korea and its allies. 3. Quantum Sensing: The Next Frontier in Defense Technology Quantum sensing, a rapidly advancing technology with significant defense applications, has become a priority for the United States as it seeks to maintain a technological edge. Quantum sensing can potentially improve the detection and countering of military threats, a critical advantage in modern warfare. With China making similar strides, the U.S. is increasing funding to support research and deployment of quantum sensors, underscoring the importance of staying at the forefront of defense innovations. The investment reflects a broader strategy of ensuring that emerging technologies are aligned with national security objectives. 4. U.S. Military Recruitment: Addressing Challenges and Boosting Goals Facing a challenging recruitment landscape, U.S. military branches have increased their outreach efforts and set ambitious new recruitment goals. These efforts are aimed at reinvigorating interest in military careers, especially among younger demographics and historically underrepresented communities. By building connections and reinforcing the value of military service, the U.S. aims to secure a steady influx of talent. These recruitment goals are critical as global security demands grow, emphasizing the need for a strong, skilled, and well-prepared military workforce.

In light of increasing global security demands, it is crucial for the U.S. defense industrial base to invest in enhancing both capacity and capability. Strengthening these areas will ensure we remain competitive against global powers such as China, Russia, and Iran. Now more than ever, strategic investment is key to maintaining our national security and global leadership.

The PRC is in our US critical infrastructure (civilian and defense)--spying, stealing, and capable of disrupting. And conventional military conflict is not a prerequisite for any of these PRC activities--they're happening now. If you think supply chain problems for consumer goods during the pandemic were bad, the PRC appears poised to cripple operations of nearly 80% of the ship-to-shore cranes at US ports. For a recently exposed example, which was years in the making by the PRC, I recommend the "The Journal" podcast (March 11, 2024), in which WSJ’s Aruna Viswanatha reports on why cranes have become the latest point of contention in U.S.-China relations. (link in comments) This is not just about potential economic impact or disruption to health, welfare, and domestic tranquility, all of which are bad. For additional national security context, General Ed Daly, US Army Materiel Command, writes in "Army Sustainment" (June 2022): "In 2021 alone, we conducted 57 brigade-equivalent deployments, moving more than 27,000 pieces of equipment to support six CCMDs through 23 U.S. and 45 overseas ports. As we further refine the Joint Concept for Contested Logistics, we must ensure our ports are secure from physical and cyber threats, and our strategic lines of communications are protected." ---Increasing the resilience of our critical infrastructure is essential--- CSU Office of Defense Engagement; CSU Systems Engineering Department; CSU Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering; Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; One Water Solutions Institute; U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. DoD has released its National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan (NDIS-IP) for FY2025. "The NDIS-IP lays out the Department's priorities for executing the NDIS in FY 2025 and how the Department of Defense (DoD) will work with industry, the interagency, and our allies and partners to mitigate risk to national security and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The NDIS-IP focuses on actions to advance the four strategic priorities identified in the NDIS: institutionalizing supply chain resilience, developing the workforce of the future, maximizing flexibility in acquisition, and bolstering economic deterrence." NDIS-IP lays out 6 Implementation Initiatives for FY2025 and goes into much detail to describe the timeframe and "Outcome Metrics" to be used for each initiative. More to follow and will surely share some more specific perspectives after further review of the plan. #defenseindustry #defenseinnovation https://lnkd.in/eph35zD4