October 18, 2016

A Ready, Modern Force: Ready for Today, Prepared for Tomorrow

Experts from the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program participated in a panel discussion on defense spending. Senior Fellows Jerry Hendrix, Paul Scharre, and Elbridge Colby focused on maintaining readiness for today’s threats while modernizing the force for future challenges. The experts assumed a two percent increase in defense spending above PB17 levels – a realistic level given political dynamics. By investing in a diverse high-low mix of forces for the range of DoD missions, rather than attempting to field a one-size-fits-all “utility infielder” force, Hendrix, Scharre, and Colby modernized the force while maintaining capacity.


Download the Presentation
  • Commentary
    • Defense News
    • April 8, 2024
    Stock Buybacks in Defense: What Drives Them, and How That Can Change?

    Lack of capital is not a problem hindering investment at the largest defense primes. The issue revolves around the capital allocation decision....

    By Mikhail Grinberg, Jerry McGinn & Lloyd Everhart

  • Video
    • April 8, 2024
    Ukrainian president has stark new warning as war rages on

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns that Ukraine will lose the war with Russia without US assistance. Franz-Stefan Gady of CNAS explains why US military aid is crucia...

    By Franz-Stefan Gady

  • Commentary
    • Sharper
    • April 3, 2024
    Sharper: Maritime Security

    The importance of securing the maritime domain is rapidly increasing. From the South China Sea to the Red Sea, the U.S. and its allies are experiencing escalating challenges t...

    By Anna Pederson & Charles Horn

  • Commentary
    • War on the Rocks
    • April 3, 2024
    Innovation Adoption for All: Scaling across Department of Defense

    The Department of Defense does act quickly when properly motivated and catalyzed by effective leadership....

    By Robert O. Work, Michael Brown & Ellen Lord

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia