Opinion

Defense News offers the commentaries and opinions from military and industry decision-makers that frame the global debate about defense policy, programs and strategy.

Commentary

Extend the unmanned revolution to our allies

It is important to consider boosting allied access to tools retired from the U.S. inventory that may prove beneficial in allied hands.

15 hours ago

Commentary

How might allies respond if Russia invades Ukraine?

NATO needs to plan beyond efforts to deter another Russian invasion of Ukraine and recognize that its actual response may differ depending on the extent of Russian military operations.

2 days ago

Commentary

Here’s what America must do to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine

Now is the time for the United States to reassert its leadership.

What can the world expect in 2022?

The concept of collective defense is gaining momentum in a big way.

3 days ago

NATO chief: The alliance is charting its path forward amid a changed security environment

NATO will engage even more closely with partners that share our values and interests, including countries, organizations, private companies and academic institutions. Preserving peace, the global rules and our democratic way of life is a collective effort.

3 days ago

French defense minister: Shifting from a new frontier to a new front

If space was the “new frontier” of the 1960s, there is no doubt that today it is a “new front” on the battlefield.

3 days ago

Australia’s defense industry minister: The importance of AUKUS and a strong economy

The Indo-Pacific region is now at the center of strategic competition, and military modernization is occurring at an unprecedented rate. It is vital that Australia maintains its capability edge.

3 days ago

European Commission VP: Embrace the EU’s ‘Strategic Compass’

The European Union has to be ready to defend our interests and values in this increasingly contested world order.

3 days ago

US Air Force chief: Interoperability is key to winning future wars

We must find fresh ways to connect forces, allies and partners that provide an effective response to the challenge of a highly contested environment not seen in the last 20 years.

3 days ago

Singapore’s defense minister: 7 wishes for the remainder of the decade

Collectively, our world should have done better in dealing with COVID-19. From poorly coordinated early warnings and pandemic measures to disrupted global supply chains, unequal vaccine distribution and ineffectiveness against misinformation, the list goes on.

3 days ago

Polish defense minister: Here’s how NATO must adapt

Addressing the high dynamics of the global and regional situation will not be effective unless we continuously adapt. Our laws, institutions and mindsets must adapt. Our military must adapt. NATO must adapt.

3 days ago

IISS analysts: Fiscal constraints drive the state of South America’s defense

In 2021, South American militaries remained focused on domestic security threats, with power projection ambitions often limited by significant equipment-availability challenges and funding shortfalls.

3 days ago

New Zealand’s defense minister: Industry is still weathering the COVID-19 storm

Looking forward, both the New Zealand and Australian governments are investing in defense relative to the size of our economies. This means that across our two markets there are significant opportunities for industry.

3 days ago

NRO director: Innovation is the key to America’s advantage in space

Our collective success advancing technology and delivering capabilities faster will be vital to maintaining America’s intelligence advantage in space, not just today, but for the next 60 years and beyond.

3 days ago

Latvia’s defense minister: The importance of securing the supply chain

Keep some redundancy in EU defense and dual-use programs to help guarantee a steady supply during crises, argues Artis Pabriks.

3 days ago

US military tech leads: Achieving all-domain decision advantage through JADC2

Adversaries of the United States are beginning to pull ahead, and they won’t wait for us to catch up. It remains up to us to synchronize our efforts and achieve success where others have previously failed.

3 days ago

Estonia’s defense minister: Strengthening NATO, from a 2030 perspective and beyond

A crisis, fabricated by dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, no doubt with the Kremlin’s knowledge and support, could have long-term consequences for Europe’s security.

3 days ago

Lebanese general: Special forces must overcome significant challenges

Building for the future is a challenging task among constraints, crises and ubiquitous pressures, but it has become necessary.

3 days ago

CYBERCOM and NSA chief: Cybersecurity is a team sport

In the future, mutual collaboration between the public and private sectors is required for a safer, more secure online environment for all Americans.

3 days ago

Almaz-Antey director: Air and space capabilities will decide tomorrow’s conflicts

One of the main trends in the development of armed conflicts in the 21st century is the expansion of multidomain battle.

3 days ago

UK defense secretary: In 2022, let’s focus on our resolve

The global outlook may darken in the months ahead, but it is how we act that will determine the outcome next year.

3 days ago

India’s defense minister: Sowing the seeds for a new era in defense manufacturing

Following a fundamental transformation, the Indian defense sector jockeys for position on the international market.

3 days ago

Canadian defense minister: We will always ensure our military is ready, willing and able

In our work to build a more secure North America and reinforce the rules-based international order around the globe, Canada remains a strong partner to our most important ally — our American neighbors and friends.

3 days ago

Anduril boss: In an era of strategic competition, we need artificially intelligent systems

Artificial intelligence should be the linchpin of our efforts to re-armor ourselves for a new kind of fight.

3 days ago

Shield AI co-founder: Tesla shows us the risks when dominant incumbents fail to be bold

Militarily, China is Tesla: moving at blazingly fast speeds with a sense of purpose and urgency, ruthlessly prioritizing what matters, cutting things that don’t and very much understanding what is at stake. China’s recent hypersonic missile tests serve as perfect examples of a country pushing harder than ever in preparation to win the next war.

3 days ago

Lithuania’s defense minister: How to tackle threats bleeding into the new year

We must take into account the new emerging challenges such as cyberthreats; emerging, disruptive technologies; climate change; and strategic dynamics related to outer space.

3 days ago

Huntington Ingalls CEO: Prepare for the next generation of national defense innovators

Is America’s youth today learning the workforce and technology skills necessary to ensure our nation remains a strong military and technology leader in the 21st century?

3 days ago

Peraton chief: Contractors must think bigger to address today’s threats

Government contractors that invest across the entire portfolio of government security needs — and build purposefully to address those diverse fields — will be more competitive for the growing number of multibillion-dollar contracts because they will be able to provide more comprehensive and integrated solutions.

3 days ago