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Apex Warm-Up Conversations

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November 27, 2024

In conversation with Gregory Allen and Douglas Berenson on the isolation of the defense industrial base

In conversation with Gregory Allen and Douglas Berenson on the isolation of the defense industrial base
(US Army photo by Staff Sgt. LaShic Patterson)

Continuing the warm-up to Apex 2025, Gregory C. Allen, Director of the Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technology at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Douglas Berenson, a partner in the Aerospace, Defense and Government Services Practice at the Oliver Wyman consultancy, and Defense and Aerospace Report's Vago Muradian explore the state of the US defense industry, how it has become increasingly isolated from commercial industry and the implications on innovation.

“Excessive defense industry consolidation and inadequate competition are real challenges for the DOD, but there is another closely related problem that is often overlooked and understudied: the isolation of the defense industrial base from the wider commercial economy.”

The discussion highlights the historic benefits of a unitary national industrial base. Gregory and Douglas explore how the defense industry's increasing isolation from commercial industry has impacted innovation, competition, and production scaling.

The conversation also focuses on strategies for attracting more commercial firms to the defense sector, including the importance of Presidential leadership and clear Government communication about critical military challenges. They move on to acknowledge challenges within the current innovation ecosystem and emphasize the need to leverage allied industrial capacity.

 

Listen to the full discussion

Source: Defense and Aerospace Report

 


 

APEX | April 23-24 2025

A brand-new defense event, Apex, is attempting to meet these challenges head-on by bringing together top-tier industry leaders, decision-makers, innovators, and new and emerging technology providers. Attendees will be able to engage directly with defense officials and key decision-makers who are actively seeking operational technologies for immediate deployment in the field through interactive panels, demonstrations, group working sessions, and intimate workshops. Participants get a front-row seat to the latest ideas and innovations designed to address current threats.

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