Defense Industrial Base

The CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group studies the critical issues at the cross-section of the Department of Defense and its industrial base, focusing on defense acquisition trends, technological innovation, security cooperation, and ongoing reform efforts.

Photo: DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza/DVIDS

Photo: DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza/DVIDS

The 2026 National Defense Strategy by the Numbers: Radical Changes, Moderate Changes, and Some Continuities

The 2026 National Defense Strategy denounces earlier strategies, focuses on this hemisphere, and pressures allies to provide their own defense, while citing President Trump 47 times. CSIS’s 19 charts and tables show the strategy’s changes, continuities, and omissions.

Report by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — January 27, 2026

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Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair

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Small Business, Big Impact | All About the Base

All About the Base's Jerry McGinn hosts the Honorable Emily Murphy, former administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, for a discussion on government programs and incentives to support small business innovation, including SBIR.

Event — February 17, 2026

The Arsenal of Freedom Tour

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on the Secretary of War’s Arsenal of Freedom tour.

Event — January 22, 2026

Actualizing the "Arsenal of Freedom" | All About the Base

The CSIS Center for the Industrial Base is proud to launch the first episode of All About the Base, a video series examining key industrial base issues. The first episode explores Secretary Hegseth's plans for defense acquisition reform.

Event — December 15, 2025

International Industrial Cooperation: Perspectives from Poland

CSIS will host Mr. Konrad Golota, Polish Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of State Assets, for a fireside chat on the Polish defense industry's rapid expansion and adaptation to regional threats and opportunities for industrial cooperation with transatlantic partners.

 

Event — December 5, 2025

Putting the Industrial Base on a Wartime Footing

Putting the industrial base on a wartime footing will require strong leadership and consistent funding, with an investment in readiness for day one of any conflict, and the ability to maintain, repair, and replace the capabilities needed to prevail in any future fight. 

Commentary by Jerry McGinn and Cynthia R. Cook — December 5, 2025

The Mogami: Advancing Australia-Japan Defense Cooperation

In August 2025, the Australian government announced its selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as its new general-purpose frigate. CSIS Japan Chair Visiting Fellow Moyuru Tanaka analyzes the significance as well as implications of this development.

Commentary by Moyuru Tanaka — November 21, 2025