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: DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images

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

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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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Alternative Defense Strategies in a Cost-Capped Environment

Alternative Defense Strategies in a Cost-Capped Environment examines the U.S. Defense Department’s options for strategy and forces if resources are constrained below currently planned levels.

Report by Mark F. Cancian, Clark A. Murdock, and Ryan Crotty — January 4, 2016

The "Force of the Future"

The Force of the Future announced today—in a point paper and in a speech by Secretary Carter—is an eclectic group of initiatives “to maintain [the Department of Defense’s (DoD)] competitive edge in bringing in top talent to serve the nation.” There are internships, a new office of people analytics, a study of recruiting, exit surveys for departing service members, an update to databases, implementation of the recently passed changes to the military retirement system, diversity briefings, and increased use of reserve personnel. There may be further initiatives in the future.

Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancian and Todd Harrison — November 19, 2015

Fiscal Futures, U.S. Forces, and Strategic Choices

Defense strategy is ultimately about choices. While strategy should, in principle, drive budget decisions, strategy must also align with the resources available, or it will not be executable in practice.

Report by Mark F. Cancian and Todd Harrison — November 16, 2015