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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Assessing the Affordability of the Army’s Future Vertical Lift Portfolio

Future Vertical Lift (FVL) is one of Army’s top modernization priorities. This report analyzes the affordability of the Army’s FVL approach and identifies enablers and inhibitors that might disrupt the program.

Report by Gregory Sanders , Andrew Philip Hunter , and Rhys McCormick — November 13, 2019

Defense Acquisition Trends 2019: Army Contract Trends

Army contract spending has been cut heavily during sequestration and the defense drawdown but has been growing at a slow steady rate the last two years. This brief examines trends in what the Army is buying, how the Army is buying, and from whom the Army is buying.

Brief by Rhys McCormick — November 5, 2019

Defense Acquisition Trends 2019: Topline DoD Trends

This report from the CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group presents analysis of the FY 2018 topline DoD contracting trends, focusing on the defense acquisition system’s response to the 2018 National Defense Strategy and new administration priorities.

Brief by Rhys McCormick — October 10, 2019

Implementing Innovation: The 21st Century National Security Innovation Partnership Conference

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Northeastern University invite you to attend a half-day public conference titled Implementing Innovation: The 21st Century National Security Innovation Partnership Conference on September 23rd at the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ headquarters-- located at 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.

Event by Kathleen H. Hicks and Andrew Philip Hunter — September 23, 2019

Acquisition of Software-Defined Hardware-Based Adaptable Systems

Adaptable systems deliver a wide variety of capabilities and grow capability over time to meet DOD’s future needs. Unfortunately, they are hindered by acquisition barriers, but these barriers can be offset by enablers that could ease use of the systems.

Report by Andrew Philip Hunter , Schuyler Moore , and Maura Rose McQuade — August 7, 2019

What Comes after the ‘Last Supper’?

Raytheon and United Technologies announced plans to merge, representing the biggest defense merger since the “Last Supper” defense consolidation of the 1990s. CSIS defense experts Andrew Hunter and Rhys McCormick look at what this means going forward.

Critical Questions by Andrew Philip Hunter and Rhys McCormick — June 11, 2019

Acquisition Trends, 2018: Defense Contract Spending Bounces Back

This report analyzes the current state of affairs in defense acquisition by combining detailed policy and data analysis to provide a comprehensive overview and critical insights into the current and future outlook for the defense acquisition system.

Report by Gregory Sanders , Rhys McCormick , and Andrew Philip Hunter — April 15, 2019