Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, commander of Eucom and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, recently spoke at the Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition in Washington, highlighting the need for the U.S. defense industrial base to evolve in response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Cavoli emphasized the sheer size and scale of the conflict, noting that it is unlike any other observed in the past 30 years. He pointed out that in such large-scale conflicts, quantities of equipment become more important than ever before, as having a limited number of high-end equipment may not be the most effective strategy when covering a vast geographic area.
Cavoli stressed the importance of industry production in facilitating the replenishment of materiel during prolonged conflicts like the one in Ukraine, which can last for months or even years. He highlighted the need for systems that allow for efficient production and replenishment of equipment to support ongoing operations. Cavoli also discussed the interconnected nature of cost, speed of production, and complexity of technologies, pointing out that high-end technologies like the F-35 combat aircraft require specialized workforces and cannot be produced rapidly due to their complexity.
In his remarks, Cavoli also touched on the importance of adaptability in response to evolving conflicts, mentioning the rapid rate of adaptation seen on both sides in the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized the need for a mentality, capability, and system that allows for quick adaptation and the spread of those adaptations across the force. Cavoli urged members of the defense industry to consider these factors when determining the future needs of the defense industry and specific defense industry products and output.
In conclusion, Cavoli emphasized the critical role of industrial production of defense articles in integrated deterrence and maintaining peace in the world. He stressed the importance of getting the industrial part right, as it plays a crucial role in supporting ongoing operations and adapting to evolving threats. Cavoli’s remarks underscored the need for the U.S. defense industrial base to continue evolving to meet potential future challenges of similar scale and size to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
