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

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Photo: ABCreative/Adobe Stock

Photo: ABCreative/Adobe Stock

Bolstering Collective Resilience in Europe

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine puts the necessity for European resilience into sharper focus. This brief argues for a new framing of NATO’s approach to resilience to amplify allies’ combined capacity to tackle shared challenges and threats.

Brief by Cynthia Cook and Anna M. Dowd — December 9, 2022

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Photo: Lockheed Martin.

Current Challenges to the Defense Industrial Base

Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group's roundtable discussion on defense industrial base challenges in the context of the Ukraine war.

September 20, 2022

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U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Army

The U.S. Army’s force structure remains steady even though its budget declined by $3.6 billion dollars. The Army does this by cutting modernization and readiness. In the long term, the Army’s force structure is at risk because of the strategic focus on China.

Report by Mark F. Cancian — October 21, 2021

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III

Reaching Farther, Risking Less

Remotely crewed systems play an important role for ISR in contested spaces. This brief examines DoD's investment, comparing budget and strategy. The Air Force led early in remotely crewed systems, but has reduced its investment while spending on maritime systems increased.

Brief by Rose Butchart , Gregory Sanders , Jill N. Cheney , and Sevan Araz — September 22, 2021

Photo: sommersby/Adobe Stock

What Is DoD Buying?

This brief examines what DoD is buying and whether those trends align with the priorities outlined in the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS). It explores key trends in defense spending on products, services, and research and development (R&D), and by platform portfolio.

Brief by Rhys McCormick — August 27, 2021

Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tarleton/flickr

Achieving an Additive Manufacturing Breakthrough

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a promising technology that many believe is on the precipice of a breakthrough. AM developers, manufacturers, and policymakers should work to unite around achieving an AM breakthrough in mission-based applications that only AM can enable.

Brief by Andrew Philip Hunter , Asya Akca , and Emma Bates — June 22, 2021

Photo: BEN via Adobe Stock

Geopolitical Implications of Scientific Innovation Trends in Northeast Asia

This event and the accompanying report discuss the implications of scientific innovations and emerging technologies on geopolitics in Northeast Asia. The discussed emerging technologies have substantial commercial and military consequences, areas that will both prove strategically important.

Event by and Seth G. Jones , Chris Fall , Kaitlyn Johnson , Ian Williams , Andrew Philip Hunter , Park In-kook , Boo Suk-Jung , Lee Guenwook , Kim Yoon , Dr. Jason Matheny , Shin Changhwan — June 18, 2021

Photo: NicoElNino/Adobe Stock

The Army's Next-Generation Combat Vehicle

Please join CSIS's Defense Industrial Initiatives Group for an interview with Major General Richard Coffman, Director of the Army Futures Command's Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team.

Event by Andrew Philip Hunter and MG Richard Coffman — March 10, 2021

Photo: Mak/Adobe Stock

Defense Acquisition in the Biden Administration

Defense acquisition policy has undergone significant reform over the past several years. The Biden administration will likely focus on implementing those reforms as it prioritizes developing emerging technologies and achieving domestic policy goals.

Critical Questions by Rhys McCormick — February 12, 2021

Photo: Thomas Alvarez/Idaho Army National Guard

Arms Trade Reform Options for the New Administration and Congress

President Biden's suspension of arms transfers in support of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen is a major break from the Trump administration. However, there is still likely to be significant continuity over the next four years in U.S. security cooperation policy.

Critical Questions by Gregory Sanders — February 5, 2021

Photo: U.S. Department of State/United States government work​