Fostering Global Security Through Defense Industrial Cooperation

As global conflicts escalate and tensions among major powers rise, the need for strengthened international collaboration in defense industries has never been more critical. Since 2022, countries have faced a complex array of security challenges, leading to significant increases in defense investments. Adversaries like Russia, North Korea, and Iran are enhancing their military capabilities, underscoring the importance of unity among allies to address these threats.

Recognizing this urgency, Meridian, in partnership with GE Aerospace, convened defense and military attachés, trade and economic counselors, U.S. government representatives, and industry experts to assess the current state of defense industrial cooperation. The program featured two expert panel discussions that examined the intersection of technology and policy in global partnerships, along with insights on growing U.S. defense industrial cooperation with partners and allies. Following these discussions, attendees engaged in roundtable conversations to deepen their understanding of these critical issues.

Featured speakers included:

• The Honorable R. Clarke Cooper, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
• The Honorable Thea D. Rozman Kendler, Assistant Secretary for Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce
• Major General Krzysztof Nolbert, Defense Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Poland
• The Honorable Ted Osius, President & Chief Executive Officer, US-ASEAN Business Council
• Alison Petchell, Minister Counsellor Defence Materiel, Embassy of Australia

Shawn Warren, Vice President, Combat and Trainer Engines Department at GE Aerospace, Defense & System, delivered introductory remarks.

Here are some top takeaways from the program:

1. The U.S. Views Allies and Partners’ Security as a Priority

The U.S. recognizes that its allies and partners’ security is integral to its defense strategy, a principle that remains constant regardless of the administration in power. As such, the U.S. is taking unprecedented steps to enhance and expand avenues for military collaboration and support. Recent initiatives, such as joint naval exercises between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines and the inaugural multidomain exercise with Japan and South Korea, have underscored this commitment to collective security. Furthermore, on the third anniversary of AUKUS, the U.S. reaffirmed its dedication to an enhanced security partnership aimed at promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. By prioritizing collaborative defense efforts, the U.S. seeks to enhance regional stability and deter adversarial threats, ensuring alliances remain responsive to evolving global challenges.

2. Building Reliable Partnerships Pays Off

As the U.S. enhances defense capabilities for its allies and partners, concerns arise regarding the sharing of sensitive technologies, particularly with nations that maintain close commercial ties with adversaries. Some experts argue for a more coordinated international regime, while others maintain that existing frameworks like the Wassenaar Arrangement on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies can be effectively adapted to meet these challenges. The panel discussed the merits of both perspectives, highlighting the need to build a “coalition of the willing” in light of nearshoring and “friendshoring” trends that emphasize partnerships with reliable nations. Ultimately, they stressed the need for solutions that safeguard national security without impeding collaboration among allies.

3. Advancing Secure (Dual-Use) Technology For All

The U.S. is increasingly focused on promoting the development of secure technologies among its allies, which not only enhances national security but also delivers tangible benefits to local populations. One notable initiative is the recent expansion of the Validated End User (VEU) program to include data centers, aimed at ensuring high cybersecurity standards for facilities housing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Countries who meet these standards will experience reduced licensing burdens and gain facilitated access to advanced U.S. technological innovation. This approach will also enable interoperability among allied nations, fostering seamless collaboration in defense and technology efforts. By promoting innovation in AI – recognized as a quintessential dual-use technology – initiatives like these will ultimately drive advancements across various sectors, including health, education, and infrastructure.

4. Despite Great Interest in Global Defense Partnerships, Challenges Persist

While key allies like Poland and Australia are actively enhancing their defense capabilities in collaboration with the U.S., this partnership presents both opportunities and challenges. Poland’s significant defense spending and recent acquisitions of American military equipment reflect its proactive approach to regional threats and its growing ties with the U.S. Similarly, Australia’s upcoming initiative to co-manufacture guided weapons with the U.S. underscores its commitment to enhancing defense. However, bureaucratic processes, national priorities, and functional differences in operational capabilities pose challenges for these partnerships. For instance, Poland’s leaders have expressed concern that bureaucratic and political processes in the U.S. have stalled vital support, leaving Poland with dwindling weapon supplies amid ongoing security challenges. Meanwhile, in Australia, internal debates about strategic policy – particularly regarding reliance on U.S. capabilities – raise questions about how best to align their defense priorities while ensuring national sovereignty. This complex landscape illustrates that while nations aim to strengthen their security ties with the U.S., the path forward is fraught with nuanced considerations.

5. The Private Sector Fuels Defense Resilience

Private industry plays a crucial role in facilitating global defense partnerships by enhancing resiliency through innovation and collaboration. By engaging in public-private partnerships, companies develop advanced technologies that strengthen defense capabilities while ensuring robust supply chains. GE Aerospace’s collaboration with the NATO on the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability exemplifies how private firms contribute to designing solutions that meet evolving military needs. These collaborations not only focus on technological advancements but also on assessing and optimizing operational costs and performance metrics, ensuring that defense systems remain effective and sustainable.

 

This program was made possible through the support of

Project summary

Fostering Global Security Through Defense Industrial Cooperation | October 2024
Number of Attendees:	40
Regions:	Western Hemisphere, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia
Impact Areas:	Security and Defense
Program Areas:	Diplomatic Engagement
Partners:	Private Sector

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