Commentary

Commentary

China’s military modernization spurs growth for state-owned enterprises

What's the state of China's defense-industrial base, and which specific sectors are seeing increasing business?

Commentary

Why most of the Top 100 saw defense revenue grow

Barring another major merger or acquisition deal among the other top 10 contractors, or even a breakup of Lockheed Martin, it’s difficult to see how organic sales growth alone could knock the company from it’s top position anytime soon.

Commentary

Even in a challenging period, publicly traded defense stocks thrive

Last year began with optimism following a weak 2020 marked by the pandemic and the uncertainties of a presidential election year. Then everything changed with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Send in the Marines? Reconsider Force Design 2030 beforehand

Force Design 2030 is a flawed operational concept in that it is narrowly focuses on fighting a specific type of engagement in a specific region, but more importantly in that it changes the very reason the Marine Corps has existed for over 246 years.

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As Pelosi visits Taiwan, don’t miss the action on China in Congress

Those interested in supporting the free people of Taiwan and pushing back on increasingly aggressive behavior from Beijing should not miss an important legislative development unfolding on Capitol Hill.

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The hypersonic race: A case for guarded optimism

All of these challenges are surmountable, but success demands careful consideration and smart execution. We cannot assume it will just happen. This hypersonic journey has been far from easy, but the threat environment demands we stay the course.

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As missile threats grow, don’t give up on boost-phase defense

With North Korea and Iran introducing more capable and maneuverable missile systems, the United States should reexamine boost-phase intercept options for improving U.S. homeland missile defense.

Why isn’t Russia doing more to jam GPS in Ukraine?

The importance of GPS as a military tool was underscored by Kremlin media in November 2021 as troops were massing along the Ukraine border. After Russia demonstrated it could destroy a satellite in space, a television commentator known to be an unofficial mouthpiece of President Putin said the nation could “blind NATO” by shooting down all GPS satellites.

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Finland and Sweden in NATO are strategic assets, not liabilities

The two Nordic countries will bring two relatively small but advanced militaries into NATO, adding significant military capabilities and augmenting the alliance’s ability to deter additional Russian aggression.

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Senate must back creation of ‘Space National Guard’ to end a needless division

A brain drain in the space arena will have detrimental effects on our national security and our states’ readiness, and creating a Space National Guard is the best, most cost-efficient way to prevent that from happening.

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Gutting cannon artillery in the Marine Corps’ new fighting plan is a huge mistake

Cannon artillery is "the only all-weather, immediately on call and sustainable fire support available to maneuver forces in 'every clime and place.'"

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The NATO summit is chance to wean Europe off US military might

In Madrid, Biden ought to drive a hard bargain with America’s European allies.

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How to set defense spending when inflation is volatile

During periods with volatile inflation, policymakers have different outlooks on the accuracy of the inflation forecast.

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Marine Corps artillery ― it isn’t too late to salvage it

Armor, engineering and other required assets may be forever lost, but it is not too late for an artillery course correction, this retired Marine lieutenant general writes.

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Worried about inflation and the defense budget? A continuing resolution could make things worse

While rising inflation rates threaten DoD’s purchasing power, congressional politics around a continuing resolution to start FY23 could exacerbate inflation’s impact on the defense budget.

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Face it, NATO: The North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are linked

The new Strategic Concept should be able to address challenges posed by China robustly and implement some structural changes without undermining European concerns.

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What it looks like when competing with China comes last

It is past time for the Biden administration to answer fundamental questions about how it intends to support Taiwan and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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The Defense Production Act is helping rebuild the US industrial base. Let’s keep it that way.

A legitimate debate may arise over the use of the DPA beyond traditional defense needs. As that debate unfolds, Congress may find that the act's authorities need to be expanded at the Pentagon.

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Expedite arms deliveries to beleaguered democracies

The United States should spend less time worrying about provoking authoritarian bullies and more time urgently helping threatened democracies before an invasion or attack begins.

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If the Marine Corps’ force design plan is going to succeed, it needs more money and more Navy support

The success of the Marine Corps' Force Design — scheduled for completion by 2030 — depends on addressing three key areas.

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The war in Ukraine should serve to bolster Europe’s air power ambitions

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that Europe’s NATO members need to spend more wisely — and not simply spend more — in bolstering their collective defense against unwarranted aggression.

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US Navy secretary previews priorities for Pacific tour

At the top of his mind is a threat impacting the service's mission, people, platforms and installations.

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The Russian invasion has clear implications for the US Army

The U.S. Army must incorporate this new threat without disregarding any of the old. And it cannot do so by simply adding another defensive mechanism. That’s how combat vehicles grow to ponderous weights over time.

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Stop calling Switchblades ‘drones’ — it’s causing policy confusion

When incorrect terminology is used and accepted, national security leaders risk making bad policy based on misperceptions.

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The DoD’s cyber force must partner with industry to compete at the speed of relevance

While cyber is essential to many areas of DoD operations, it is not its main function.