Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group
Strengthening our understanding of the relationship between the Department of Defense and its industrial base
DIIG provides timely, in-depth analysis on the critical issues at the cross-section of the Department of Defense and its industrial base. With a focus on defense acquisition trends, technological innovation, security cooperation, and ongoing reform efforts, DIIG monitors important developments in the global defense industry. DIIG’s products consist of major research projects, published reports, commentaries, interviews, and events.
Contact Information
- Katy Buda
- Associate Director, Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group
- KBuda@csis.org
Media Queries
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Latest Analysis

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant DeVuyst
How the United States Can Overcome Icebreaker Construction Woes and Grow the Maritime Industrial Base
Report by Luke Slivinski — July 15, 2025

Overcoming the Barriers to Forward Deterrence
Commentary by Cynthia R. Cook and Audrey Aldisert — July 1, 2025

Enabling Forward Sustainment
Report by Cynthia R. Cook, Nicholas Szechenyi, Henry H. Carroll, Audrey Aldisert, Sarah Hendrick, and Javier Nater — June 26, 2025

Strengthening NATO Starts with Fixing Its Industrial Base
Commentary by Audrey Aldisert — June 24, 2025

Improving Arms Sales, Technology Transfer, and Defense Industrial Cooperation with Allies and Partners
Report by Audrey Aldisert and Cynthia R. Cook — June 23, 2025
Featured Event
The National Defense Industrial Strategy: The Way Ahead
Featured Topics
All Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group Content
Filter by
The Defense Industrial Implications of Putin’s Appointment of Andrey Belousov as Minister of Defense
Commentary by Nicholas Velazquez, Maeve Sockwell, and Cynthia R. Cook — May 23, 2024
The Defense Industrial Implications of Putin’s Appointment of Andrey Belousov as Minister of Defense
Podcast Episode by Nicholas Velazquez, Maeve Sockwell, and Cynthia R. Cook — May 23, 2024

Expanding the Tool Kit to Counter China's Economic Coercion
Report by Cynthia R. Cook, Gregory Sanders, Alexander Holderness, John Schaus, Nicholas Velazquez, Audrey Aldisert, Henry H. Carroll, and Emily Hardesty — May 6, 2024
Executive Summary: "Expanding the Tool Kit to Counter China's Economic Coercion"
Podcast Episode by Cynthia R. Cook, Gregory Sanders, Alexander Holderness, John Schaus, Nicholas Velazquez, Audrey Aldisert, Henry H. Carroll, and Emily Hardesty — May 6, 2024

Modernizing Army Software Acquisition: Panel Discussion with DASA(SAR) Margaret Boatner and PEO IEW&S BG Ed Barker
Event — April 19, 2024
How Supporting Ukraine Is Revitalizing the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Commentary by Elizabeth Hoffman, Audrey Aldisert, Cynthia R. Cook, Gregory Sanders, and Shivani Vakharia — April 18, 2024
Investing in Resilience as a Response to a Military Threat in Europe
Congressional Testimony by Cynthia R. Cook and Anna Dowd — April 18, 2024
Strengthening Australia-U.S. Defence Industrial Cooperation: Keynote Panel
Event — April 5, 2024
The Future of U.S.-Japan Defense Industrial Cooperation
Event — March 20, 2024