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.

About the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group

Learn more about the CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group and the experts and staff that contribute to our analysis.

Cynthia Cook

Media Queries

Latest Analysis

Photo: U.S. Army

Photo: U.S. Army

Rising Demand and Proliferating Supply of Military UAS

There has been a significant rise in the proliferation of military uninhabited aerial systems. This report reveals drivers and implications by examining the Nagorno-Karabakh war, the Russian war in Ukraine, and contracting and international trade data.

Report by Gregory Sanders , Rose Butchart , Astrid Price , Dan Steinberg , and Alexander Holderness — May 24, 2023

See all analysis by Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group

Featured Event

Photo: Spc. Charles Leitner/U.S. Army

Pressing Challenges to U.S. Army Acquisition

March 3, 2023

Discussion between the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology the Honorable Douglas Bush and Dr. Cynthia Cook with the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group (DIIG).  The discussion explored challenges to the defense industrial base in the U.S.

View Event

Featured Topics

Subscribe to our Mailing List:

All content by Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group

Filter by

1 - 10 of 228 results

Rising Demand and Proliferating Supply of Military UAS

There has been a significant rise in the proliferation of military uninhabited aerial systems. This report reveals drivers and implications by examining the Nagorno-Karabakh war, the Russian war in Ukraine, and contracting and international trade data.

Report by Gregory Sanders , Rose Butchart , Astrid Price , Dan Steinberg , and Alexander Holderness — May 24, 2023

Pausing Proliferation: Facing China's Military Engine Development

A panel discussion on Chinese military engine development between the Director of the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group (DIIG) at CSIS, Dr. Cynthia R. Cook, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Brigadier General Dave Stilwell, and Director of The Defense Concepts Organization and former Specialist in Military Aviation at the Congressional Research Service, Mr. J.J. Gertler.

Event by Cynthia Cook , Jeremiah Gertler , and Brig. Gen. David R. Stilwell (USAF, ret.) — April 18, 2023

Managing Risk and Technology Insertion in Crewed Tactical Jet Engines

As China makes seismic investments in its military jet engine industry, Washington will have to develop strategies to ensure the United States' enduring advantage and to continue to deliver world-leading air combat capability.

Brief by Alexander Holderness , Gregory Sanders , and Nicholas Velazquez — April 18, 2023

Global Security Forum 2023: Transatlantic Defense

The 2023 Global Security Forum, the CSIS International Security Program’s flagship annual conference, took place on April 5, 2023. This year’s conference theme was transatlantic defense and featured a keynote address by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Christopher W. Grady.

Event by John J. Hamre , Seth G. Jones , Emily Harding , Cynthia Cook , and Max Bergmann — April 5, 2023

Powering Proliferation: The Global Engine Market and China’s Indigenization

The military turbofan engine market proliferates technology nations like China need to build modern jet engines to compete with the United States. This brief explores China’s push to modernize its capabilities and broader dynamics in the global military engine market.

Brief by Alexander Holderness , Nicholas Velazquez , Jasmine Phillips , Gregory Sanders , and Cynthia Cook — March 21, 2023