Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment : The Challenge to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Paperback / softback

by Seth G. Jones

Part of the CSIS Reports series

Paperback / softback

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The U.S. defense industrial base is not adequately prepared for the international security environment that now exists.

In a major regional conflictâ€”such as a war with China in the Taiwan Straitâ€”the U.S. use of munitions would likely exceed the current stockpiles of the U.S.

Department of Defense. According to the results of a series of CSIS war games, the United States would likely run out of some munitionsâ€”such as long-range, precision-guided munitionsâ€”in less than one week in a Taiwan Strait conflict.

The war in Ukraine has also exposed serious deficiencies in the U.S. defense industrial base and serves as a stark reminder that a protracted conflict is likely to be an industrial war that requires a defense industry able to manufacture enough munitions, weapons systems, and matÃ©riel to replace depleted stockpiles. As timelines for a possible conflict in Asia shrink, the goal should be to support the production capacity required to enable the United States and its allies and partners to deter and, if deterrence fails, fight and win at least one major theater warâ€”if not two. â€œJust in timeâ€ and lean manufacturing operations must be balanced with carrying added capacity.

The U.S. Department of Defense, in coordination with Congress, should develop a plan now that involves taking steps to streamline and improve production, acquisitions, replenishment, Foreign Military Sales, ITAR, and other policies and procedures.

A revitalization of the defense industrial base will not happen overnight for the United States or its allies and partners.

It is time to prepare for the era of competition that now exists.