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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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.

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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

Defense Acquisition Trends 2020: Topline DoD Trends

For more than a decade, CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group published an annual report examining trends in what DoD is buying, how DoD is buying it, & from whom DoD is buying. This brief presents the topline DoD contract trends for Fiscal Year 2019.

Brief by Rhys McCormick — October 8, 2020

Online Event: Department of Defense’s Service Industrial Base

Please join us on Thursday, Oct 1st at 2PM for a panel discussion on DoD’s present and future service industrial base.   

Event by Gregory Sanders , Andrew Philip Hunter , Mr. David J. Berteau , Mr. Eric Chewning , and Ms. Tara Murphy Dougherty — October 1, 2020

Measuring Service Contract Performance

Services account for over 41 percent of DoD contract obligations. This CSIS report looks at a million contracts to evaluate how three factors influence performance: service complexity, contract-management capacity, and vendor’s history working with a DoD contracting.

Report by Gregory Sanders and Andrew Philip Hunter — September 18, 2020

Cycle Times and Cycles of Acquisition Reform

Acquisition reform occurs in cycles. This CSIS brief explores how reform cycles have historically affected acquisition speed (i.e., program cycle times).

Brief by Alec C. Blivas , Brenen Tidwell , and Morgan Dwyer — August 5, 2020

Online Event: Challenges to the Industrial Base during Covid-19

Please join the CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group on Thursday, May 28th at 3PM for a discussion on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the defense industrial base. 

Event by Andrew Philip Hunter , Mitch Snyder , Nazzic S. Keene , and General Hawk Carlisle USAF (Ret) — May 28, 2020