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.

Preemptively help Ukraine counter Iranian-made ballistic missiles

Iran could soon provide the Russian military with even deadlier weapons than the Iranian drones it has been using to target Ukraine.

4 days ago

Airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing recieve a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, after landing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of a Bomber Task Force mission, Oct. 18, 2022. Bomber missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the U.S. Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy. (Senior Airman Yosselin Campos/Air Force)

US Air Force’s ‘divest to invest’ plan is too risky

This strategy may look attractive on paper, but past attempts show that it doesn’t work in practice. Here’s why.

10 days ago

Commentary

It’s time to reset America’s long-range strike deficit

America simply has far more demand for long-range strike aircraft than planes and crews.

South Korea’s defense minister lays out four results from trip to US

This year's meeting was held when the security situation was more complex and serious than ever for South Korea.

12 days ago

Enhance raw material security through international cooperation

It could be partnership rather than isolationism that reduces American vulnerabilities from competitors and less reliable suppliers.

3 weeks ago

Congress must act to boost combat-credible air power in Indo-Pacific

Withdrawing F-15 fighter squadrons from Kadena Air Base in Japan without a replacement plan does not enhance combat-credible posture, these authors argue.

3 weeks ago

The Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro is pictured during its last Bering Sea patrol in March 2021. The Douglas Munro was decommissioned on April 24, 2021.

To deter Arctic aggression, build the polar fleet we need

America should make substantial investments in its icebreaker industrial base and overall defense industrial base to help preserve its Arctic interest.

4 weeks ago

Harden the cybersecurity of US nuclear complex now

Buried in both the Senate and House versions of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act are provisions augmenting the cybersecurity of the NC3.

4 weeks ago

Russia’s military aircraft exports are headed for a nosedive

The military reputation of the Russian Aerospace Forces has been badly tarnished — and that is rubbing off on the aircraft.

5 weeks ago

The three questions every major defense acquisition should answer

It's key to ensure the early stages of the program’s acquisition are in line both with competitive principle and prevailing strategy.

5 weeks ago

Ukraine makes it obvious DoD has to change how it buys weapons

The scale at which “dual-use” technologies is used should make us urgently rethink the way the Department of Defense does business.

6 weeks ago

America’s arsenal is in need of life support

The key problem is Washington's failure to procure munitions in sufficient quantities in the form of signed contracts with industry.

6 weeks ago