COVID-19 Is Attacking Our Defense Supply Chains and Our Nation’s Security

COVID-19 is leading to rolling shutdowns of commerce across the country and around the world. The result is a serious economic downturn, one that requires policies that respond to this crisis rather than the last. The 2008 crisis started in housing and financial markets, then spread to the rest of the economy. The COVID-19 crisis started by hitting the labor force and quickly disrupted global transportation links, especially air travel. While the resulting economic shock has affected every corner of the economy, the aviation sector is suffering some of the severest impacts.

The damage happening today in the aviation sector is highly likely to spill over into the defense industrial base through defense supply chains. Recognizing and addressing this reality is essential to avoid profound long-term damage to national security.