Perun's video: Rebuilding US Arms Production - Can a new Strategy Restore the Arsenal of Democracy

During many major conflicts of the 20th century, the ability of the USA to pump out enormous amounts of defence materiel was a critical factor. In the lead up to WW2 the US would declare itself the 'arsenal of democracy' But with the end of the Cold War came reductions and consolidation - and after the events of early 2022 the US, like many other nations, found itself eager to re-expand its defence industries to meet the demands of the war in Ukraine and changing global security environment. That provided the context for the release of a defence industry strategy this year -- and today, we're going to talk about it. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU Caveats, Comments and Corrections: All normal caveats and disclaimers apply In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions, judgements or evaluations. This is obviously very much not financial advice. Many images on slides are included only for illustrative, comedic or aesthetic purposes and should not be assumed to be related to the corresponding text or audio. Readings and Sources: 2023 National Defense Industrial Strategy: https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/ndis/2023-NDIS.pdf Annual Industrial Capabilities Reports 2021-2016 2021 - https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/resources/FY2021-Industrial-Capabilities-Report-to-Congress.pdf 2020 - https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/resources/USA002573-20_ICR_2020_Web.pdf 2019 - https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/resources/USA000954-20_RPT_Subj_FY19_ICR_07092020.pdf 2018 - https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/resources/2018_AIC_RTC_05-23-2019-Public_Release.pdf 2017 - https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/resources/2017_AIC_RTC_05-17-2018-Public_Release.pdf 2016 - https://www.businessdefense.gov/docs/resources/2016_AIC_RTC_06-27-17-Public_Release.pdf Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency (2018) https://media.defense.gov/2018/Oct/05/2002048904/-1/-1/1/ASSESSING-AND-STRENGTHENING-THE-MANUFACTURING-AND-DEFENSE-INDUSTRIAL-BASE-AND-SUPPLY-CHAIN-RESILIENCY.PDF CRS on the US Defense Industrial Base: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47751 US DoD Small Business Strategy https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/26/2003150429/-1/-1/0/SMALL-BUSINESS-STRATEGY.PDF Defense News reporting on Patriot PAC-3 production figures https://www.defensenews.com/land/2024/04/09/how-companies-plan-to-ramp-up-production-of-patriot-missiles/ #:~:text=Lockheed%20was%20building%20350%20MSE,Camden%2C%20Arkansas%2C%20production%20line. Reporting source on production rate of 12 Patriot fire units per year https://www.defensenews.com/land/2024/04/09/how-patriot-proved-itself-in-ukraine-and-secured-a-fresh-future/ Reporting on call for a third US nuclear shipyard https://news.usni.org/2023/10/12/congressional-commission-calls-for-third-nuclear-shipyard-to-bolster-u-s-strategic-forces US missile production - Arkansas https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/03/21/how-the-war-in-ukraine-is-driving-growth-in-arkansas/ https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/oct/05/defense-plant-at-camden-growing/ Mentioned Xinhua article https://english.news.cn/20240228/4b04b67081724ed59cc5f837c7ec38ba/c.htmlhttps://english.news.cn/20240228/4b04b67081724ed59cc5f837c7ec38ba/c.html US arms hitting record high in 2023 https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-arms-exports-hit-record-high-fiscal-2023-2024-01-29/ Source for featured shipyard worker image https://news.usni.org/2016/04/06/navsea-on-road-to-recovery-to-rebuilding-naval-shipyard-workforce US Navy Secretary on ROK shipbuilding capacity https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-secretary-floored-by-ally-south-koreas-shipbuilding-2024-4 FRCSW Apprenticeship program https://frcsw.navair.navy.mil/Public-Affairs-Office/News/Article/2613532/frcsw-apprenticeship-program-offers-artisan-career-path/ https://www.swccd.edu/programs-and-academics/specialty-programs/southwest-regional-apprenticeship-program.aspx Reporting on US manufacturing jobs https://www.axios.com/2023/08/21/manufacturing-job-boom-semiconductor-renewable-energy https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-28/us-manufacturers-to-temper-investment-pace-after-vibrant-2023 https://nam.org/manufacturing-in-the-united-states/facts-about-manufacturing-expanded/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-02/stronger-us-factory-payrolls-hint-manufacturing-turning-corner Timestamps: 00:00:00 — Opening Words 00:01:04 — What Am I Talking About? 00:02:21 — The Peace Dividend 00:06:58 — Towards Strategy 00:10:12 — Resilient Supply Chains 00:26:17 — Workforce Readiness 00:36:25 — Flexible Acquisition 00:46:09 — Signs Of Progress 00:51:05 — Geopolitical Significance 01:03:19 — Channel Update