In a landmark move, the Department of Defense has unveiled its inaugural National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), aimed at transforming and fortifying the defense industrial base to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The strategy, which aligns with the National Defense Strategy (NDS), will serve as a blueprint for the Department's engagement, policy development, and investment in the industrial base over the next three to five years.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks emphasized the need for immediate action to strengthen and modernize the defense industrial ecosystem to support the warfighters. She highlighted the importance of building a modern defense industrial and innovation ecosystem that can effectively defend the United States, its allies, partners, and interests.

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William A. LaPlante, expressed pride in the release of the groundbreaking strategy. He stressed the mutually reinforcing nature of America's economic security and national security, noting that the nation's military strength is closely tied to its overall industrial strength.

The NDIS acknowledges the risks to the industrial base identified in the NDS, while also providing solutions to address these challenges. The strategy emphasizes the need for the defense industrial base to deliver capabilities rapidly and at the necessary scale for the U.S. military to prevail in near-peer conflicts.

The NDIS outlines four strategic priorities to modernize the defense industrial ecosystem. These include the development of resilient supply chains, ensuring workforce readiness, fostering flexible acquisition practices, and enhancing economic deterrence. The strategy recognizes that achieving these goals requires collaboration and coordination between the U.S. government, private industry, and international allies and partners.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)) will play a crucial role in working with domestic and international partners to establish and maintain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base that meets the needs of the warfighter both now and in the future.

With the release of the NDIS, the Department of Defense has set in motion a transformative vision that aims to leverage innovation, agility, and cooperation to build a modernized defense industrial ecosystem. The strategy reflects the Department's commitment to ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of technological advancements and is able to effectively protect its national security interests in the evolving global landscape.