US tech companies grapple with defence dilemmas

Significance

While there is strong political backing for a well-funded defence industrial policy, budgetary pressures limit federal spending on emerging technologies, making the role of private-sector national security entrepreneurs increasingly important.

Impacts

• The defence industrial base is struggling to support the robust US national security strategy due to inadequate size.
• The Pentagon will need additional resources to become a more influential driver of innovation in US defence capabilities.
• Ongoing armed conflicts will push high-tech firms to provide additional innovative solutions to battlefield needs.