Defense Acquisition in a Global Economy

Acquiring Weapons in a Global Economy

For most of the postwar era, the United States was virtually self-sufficient when it came to defense production.  It manufactured domestically designed and funded systems that were fielded and sustained by the U.S. armed forces.  To the extent the defense industry was globalized, it was solely through the export of American weapons to friends and allies.

In recent years, however, the United States has increasingly signaled its willingness to collaborate with its friends and allies on the acquisition of advanced weapons technology, including aircraft like F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and complex systems like ballistic missile defense.  A number of other platforms could also be built in collaboration with overseas partners, including possibly the next generation Air Force tanker.  The management of these projects raises a host of economic and policy challenges that have been understudied by the defense community,  including multinational contracting, the sharing of advanced technology and other proprietary information, and the potential political effects of an increasingly interconnected procurement system.

Through workshops, seminars, and cutting-edge research, this project explores the potential consequences of the growing globalization of the U.S. defense industry, both for the American manufacturing base and for  U.S. national security policy.

Related Publications: Smart Defense Acquisition: Learning from French Procurement Reform by Non-Resident Senior Fellow Ethan Kapstein, December 2009.

Recent F-35 News:

February 2, 2010 - Washington Post
Defense Secretary Gates Fires General in Charge of Joint Strike Fighter Program

January 20, 2010 - Navy Times
AF chief: F-35 Testing, Acquisition Will Slow

January 18, 2010 - Defense News
Getting Ready for Takeoff: Turkish Firm Sees Boost from International Programs

January 13, 2010 - The Guardian
Stealth Jet Fighter Orders To Be Slashed As MoD Struggles To Save Aircraft Carrier Programme

January 7, 2010 - Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
F-35 Program Begins Vertical Flight Test Process

January 6, 2010  - Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Gates Orders Delay in Buying Lockheed's F-35 Fighter Jets

December 18, 2009 - Bloomberg
Lockheed May Add Navy F-35 Jet to Limit Delays

December 18, 2009 - The Washington Times
Delays, Costs Threaten Fighter-Plane Program

December 15, 2009 - Reuters
U.S. Lawmakers Veil F-35 Fighter Hearing

December 14, 2009 - Reuters
No Cuts but Adjustments for Costly F-35
 
December 7, 2009 - Reuters
UK Confident U.S. Will Hand Over F-35 Fighter Codes

November 28, 2009 - The Australian
Advance Purchase Could Well Put Defence Out on Wing

November 26, 2009 - Daily Mail
UK Anger as America Refuses to Share Secrets of New Radar-Evading Lockheed F35 Fighter Jet That Britain Helped Pay For

November 25, 2009 - Ha'aretz
U.S. May Allow Israeli Upgrades to F-35 Fighter Jet

November 25, 2009 - Bloomberg
Australia Approves Purchase of 14 F-35 Jet Fighters

November 24, 2009 - Reuters
INTERVIEW - U.S. Says Some F-35 Partners Delaying Purchases

November 23, 2009 - The New York Times
U.S. Says Lockheed Must Pay Part of F-35 Cost Overruns

November 22, 2009 - Reuters
Japan Leans Towards Buying F-35 Fighter Jet: Media