WASHINGTON — The Defense Department remains committed to collaborating with allies to enhance defense production capabilities, as highlighted by William A. LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, in his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.
LaPlante emphasized the importance of partnerships in the defense sector, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has underscored the need for joint production of key munitions. He cited the co-production of 155 mm artillery shells with European allies as an example of such collaboration, noting the high demand for these munitions on Ukraine’s front lines.
The U.S. plans to apply the lessons learned from Ukraine to other weapons systems, with upcoming initiatives including the co-production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missile munitions with key allies. Additionally, the U.S. will partner with Japan on developing and producing next-generation missile defense interceptors. “You’re going to see much more co-production, co-development, and co-sustainment with allies and partners,” LaPlante stated.
LaPlante highlighted a growing recognition among allies, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, of the need to bolster their defense industrial bases. This comes as potential adversaries, such as Russia, significantly increase their weapons output. “We’re all monitoring what Russia is doing with its industrial base,” LaPlante noted, referencing recent increases in Russian military spending and production capabilities.
The Defense Department continues to focus on meeting the immediate needs of warfighters and improving acquisition processes to rapidly field key capabilities. LaPlante stressed the importance of maintaining a steady demand signal to the defense industrial base to ensure the availability of the necessary workforce and production capabilities. He described the acquisition process as a “three-legged stool” involving acquisition contracts, requirements, and funding.
The Army, for example, is leading efforts to identify and deploy counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) and has launched the Joint C-sUAS University at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. New high-energy laser systems are also being tested in the field. The Defense Department has spent about $1.8 billion on counter-drone capabilities since FY17, with plans to increase this investment in the FY26 budget.
The Pentagon is placing a greater emphasis on acquiring small, commercial drones, aiming to leverage the rapid evolution of technology. The FY25 budget includes $25 million for units to purchase off-the-shelf systems validated by the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS program, ensuring these drones meet cybersecurity standards and exclude Chinese technology.
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