Defense Budget and Acquisition

CSIS experts track the foremost budget issues in the defense policy sphere, exploring trends in the overall defense budget, military readiness, force structure, defense acquisition, and military compensation in a broader effort to assess the alignment of the country’s defense strategy and its resources.

Photo: Golden Fleet/U.S. Navy

Photo: Golden Fleet/U.S. Navy

Why the Golden Fleet Will Sail

Debates over a new battleship miss the larger issue—how to generate affordable naval firepower at scale. Seen as an arsenal ship, a “Golden Fleet” could reinforce distributed maritime operations while helping reform U.S. shipbuilding.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — January 9, 2026

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Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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The Depleting Missile Defense Interceptor Inventory

The proliferation of missile threats has made air and missile defense interceptors the table stakes for entry into future conflicts, forcing the Department of Defense to either ante up and buy the necessary interceptors, or fold on its regional interests and bear the consequences.

Brief by Wes Rumbaugh — December 5, 2025

The U.S. Army and a Second Manhattan Project for AI

To win the AI race, the U.S. Army must again serve as a national integrator—mobilizing talent, securing infrastructure, and modernizing forces, just as it did during the original Manhattan Project.

Commentary by Jake S. Kwon and Benjamin Jensen — November 21, 2025

How to Win the Information Game in Venezuela

As U.S. strategic interest in Venezuela grows, agentic AI and tailored messaging emerge as critical tools in the information domain—offering influence without escalation.

Commentary by Erol Yayboke — November 17, 2025

What to Expect from Secretary Hegseth’s November 7 Speech on the Arsenal of Freedom

Secretary Hegseth’s upcoming “Arsenal of Freedom” address signals a possible historic shift in U.S. defense acquisition and the industrial base—aimed at undoing decades of consolidation, revitalizing industrial capacity, and reforming how the Pentagon delivers capabilities to the warfighter.

Commentary by Jerry McGinn — November 5, 2025

How and Why Ukraine’s Military Is Going Digital

Ukraine survived invasion by improvising its defense innovation ecosystem, but long-term resilience depends on balancing agility in adopting new tech with centralization to scale. Kateryna Bondar shows how digitization is key to bridging the two.

Report by Kateryna Bondar — October 6, 2025

How Does the Government Shutdown Impact the U.S. Industrial Base?

The government shutdown will have a substantial impact on the industrial base. While work will continue on contracts that are already funded, no new obligations of funds are permitted unless tied to an excepted activity. 

Critical Questions by Jerry McGinn, Katy Buda, and Audrey Aldisert — October 6, 2025

What Does Lethality Really Mean in Modern War?

What does “lethality” really mean in modern war? Beyond warrior ethos, it’s about cohesion, adaptation, and multidomain operations—where drones, AI, and resilient forces redefine combat power for the twenty-first century.

Critical Questions by Benjamin Jensen — October 2, 2025

What a Government Shutdown Would Mean for Defense Funding in FY 2026

With Congress failing to pass a continuing resolution to start FY 2026, the Department of Defense faces a shutdown until legislators take action to fund the federal government. Seamus Daniels explains the implications for the Department of Defense.

Critical Questions by Seamus P. Daniels — September 30, 2025

Operational Art in the Age of Battle Networks

From Ukraine to the Middle East, a new age of warfare is dawning. Information-centric battle networks are rewriting the rules, prioritizing cognitive shock and decisionmaking speed over traditional military mass. How will modern militaries adapt and survive?

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — September 16, 2025

The Evolution of Landpower

In an age of satellites and cyberattacks, the future of warfare is still decided on the ground. Land is not just a domain to be won—it is the indispensable hub that connects and controls all others, from sea lanes to space.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — September 16, 2025