Acquisition Research Program at Naval Postgraduate School’s Post

#ICYMI: This weekend, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with their Japanese counterparts, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa and Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara, in Tokyo to advance bilateral progress in building a global partnership for the future while enhancing U.S.-Japan Alliance deterrence. This includes further accelerating work on co-production, co-development, and co-sustainment to advance innovation, strengthen U.S. and Japanese industrial bases, promote resilient and reliable supply chains, and invest in the strategic industries of the future. The Ministers heralded the recent convening of the Forum on Defense Industry Cooperation, Acquisition, and Sustainment (DICAS), as well as its working groups on missile co-production, ship repair, aircraft repair, and supply chain resilience. They also welcomed high-priority efforts to pursue mutually beneficial co-production opportunities to expand production capacity of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), in order to meet critical demands for such advanced systems, address timely procurement and readiness requirements, and deter aggression. #SucceedThroughTeamwork

Big announcements from the US/Japan Security 2+2, some quick comments: - Turns the US Forces Japan (USFJ) to Joint Forces HQ (JFHQ), which is a shift from admin to operation command. This parallels Japan's creation of the JSDF Joint Operational Command (JJOC) for March 2025. This will facilitate cooperation in operational planning, command/control, and interoperability in event of a fast-moving security contingency in Asia...rather than reachback to INDOPACOM that is 5 hours away. - Reminded everyone the need for accelerate Japanese acquisition of Tomahawk, missile co-production, and US material and tech support for Japan's indigenous stand-off missiles. Japan's plan to double its defense spending and take on greater responsibility for supporting the regional order entails significant foreign military sales for the US. - First ministerial-level meeting on extended deterrence. Not much revealed here, but significant for its elevation. Japan and ROK place high priority on extended deterrence issues. - DICAS is still in the planning stages, with the second meeting intended for after the US presidential election. The joint statement focused on missile development, which is Japan's biggest priority, rather than ship repair, which is definitely the US priority. It'll be necessary to pay close attention to how much DICAS moves forward in the rest of Biden's term.

Starting on May 29, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will travel to the Indo-Pacific region for the tenth time since taking office CONNECTING ALLIES AND PARTNERS The United States is joining together with allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen regional peace and security, including through bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral efforts with: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following the launch of an Emerging Leaders' Defense Fellowship Program for young civilian and defense leaders in Southeast Asia. Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), following the 2023 completion of a multi-year trilateral exercise plan and the full activation of a real-time DPRK missile warning data-sharing mechanism — two key deliverables announced at the August 2023 Camp David Summit. Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, following the second-ever meeting of defense ministers from all four countries in May 2024, where they advanced their multilateral collaboration in support of a free, open, secure, and prosperous region. AUKUS partners, Australia and United Kingdom, following progress on advanced capabilities cooperation and implementation of the Optimal Pathway for Australia to obtain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. The Freely Associated States, following the March 2024 passage of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act by Congress, which funded the economic assistance at the heart of the Compacts of Free Association into the 2040s and supported U.S. defense ties with three vital Pacific Islands partners. Allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region, with combined operations that enhance interoperability, boost deterrence, and demonstrate shared resolve against coercive behavior, including: Exercise BALIKATAN with the Philippines, which featured more than 16,000 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military, as well as Australian and French forces. Exercise SUPER GARUDA SHIELD with Indonesia and 17 other nations represented, which featured more than 4,000 service members who participated in amphibious and airborne operations training, as well as command and control simulation. Exercise COBRA GOLD with Thailand, which included 4,500 U.S. service members and participation from over 30 nations, including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the ROK. Exercise FREEDOM SHIELD with the ROK, a large-scale combined field exercise which featured more than 18,000 combined U.S. and ROK military forces and built combat readiness, as well as interoperability among participating units. - TRANSFORMING U.S. FORCE POSTURE Under President Biden's leadership, the United States has delivered historic achievements with allies and partners to make U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific region more mobile, distributed, resilient, and lethal https://lnkd.in/g3uydbUH

In recent news, the European Union has announced its first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy. This historic initiative represents a significant step forward in European defence integration and signals a concerted effort to bolster Europe's strategic autonomy and resilience in an uncertain geopolitical landscape. Find out more in this article: https://bit.ly/493ou1T #EuropeCommission #DefenceStrategy #IndustrialStrategy #EuropeanDefence

𝗘𝗨 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 €𝟭.𝟱 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 The European Commission has introduced a comprehensive €1.5 billion plan designed to secure defense production within the European Union (EU). This initiative responds to the urgent need to address the fragmentation within the defense sector, which has been heightened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine starting in February 2022. Announced during a press conference in Paris, the EDIP seeks to strengthen the EU's industrial defense capacities amidst escalating geopolitical tensions. Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, emphasized the critical importance of enhancing defense capabilities, particularly in light of Russia's aggressive actions near the EU's borders. At the core of the EDIP is a strategy to promote joint military purchases among EU member states, leveraging a common budget to partially reimburse collaborative acquisitions. This approach aims to streamline processes and overcome challenges posed by economic nationalism, which often prioritizes local defense industries over pan-European solutions. Additionally, the EDIP introduces the concept of a defense-industrial readiness board, serving as a platform for EU member states to define common priorities and coordinate procurement plans. By aligning strategies and pooling resources, the EU aims to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of defense investments. Photo by Fabian Bimmer / Getty Images

The vision for U.S.-Japan defense-industrial integration set out by recent administrations is a lofty proposition that will require considerable bureaucratic and industry movement, patience, and some betting on the U.S.-Japan defense relationship. Check out our latest article by Emily Hardesty⤵ https://lnkd.in/eZTAPp86

❗️ The uncertain security environment and geopolitical conflicts are fuelling industry growth in the defense sector. ✅ To enhance Europe's readiness, the EU launched its first-ever industrial strategy for the defense industry in March 2024. ✅ In connection with the strategy, the EU launched a program with €1,5 billion in funding to strengthen European defense manufacturing and innovations. ✅ EU's defense industry initiatives offer growth possibilities to European industrial manufacturers that are operating or would like to enter the defense supply chains. At Taival, we help companies seek, model, and complete new market entries to establish new business areas, including in the defense industry. #strategy #defensestrategy #newbusiness #marketentry https://lnkd.in/d-MfzZSK

The Defense Industry: Disruptions and Challenges for Germany and Europe German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) 11 Apr 2024 #NATO #ForeignPolicy #defenseindustry This Episode, the panel looks at the defense industry and how it is adapting to new geopolitical realities. Having firmly committed to NATO’s two-percent target after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the German government is still struggling to spend additional funds effectively. At the same time, attempts are being made at the European level to strengthen the common military-industrial complex. Together with our speakers, we discuss solutions to the disruptions facing the defense industry and how German and European policymakers can confront the challenges of the years to come. Speakers: Christian Mölling, Head of the Center for Security and Defense, DGAP Susanne Wiegand, CEO, RENK Group Chair:  Jan Stöckmann, Head of the Director’s Office, DGAP

U.S. defense industrial cooperation with #Japan is essential given the rapidly evolving threat environment in the #IndoPacific, however various governmental, economic, and industrial barriers—on both the U.S. and Japanese end—persist. Read the full analysis from Christopher Johnstone, Cynthia Cook, Audrey Aldisert, Leah Klaas, Christine (Chris) Michienzi, Gregg Rubinstein, Greg Sanders, and Nicholas Szechenyi here: https://lnkd.in/e6C2amBt #DefenseIndustry

Hot off the press! Partnering with allies is critical as the U.S. and other countries are rebuilding and strengthening our industrial bases. Japan is a key partner - especially given its location and its capabilities. Check out the report my CSIS colleagues and I put together on a couple of the key technologies for collaboration, as well as some challenges for cooperation. #CSIS #alliesandpartners #japan