Defense Primer: U.S. Defense Industrial Base (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised April 17, 2023 |
| Report Number |
IF10548 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Moshe Schwartz; Heidi M. Peters |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The Department of Defense (DOD) relies on a wideranging
and complex industrial base for products and
services required to support DOD’s stated mission “to
provide the military forces needed to deter war and to
protect the security of our country.” This defense industrial
base comprises public-sector (government-owned,
government-operated) facilities and private-sector
(commercial) companies.
The commercial companies that contract with DOD are
diverse and range in size from small businesses to some of
the world’s largest corporate enterprises. These commercial
companies provide a wide variety of products to DOD,
encompassing everything from complex military-unique
platforms such as aircraft carriers to common commercial
items such as laptop computers, clothing, and food. They
also provide a wide variety of services ― from routine
services (e.g., information technology (IT) support) to
highly specialized services (e.g., launching space vehicles).
Domestically owned firms and foreign-owned firms that
engage in direct investment, hire U.S. workers, and are
governed by U.S. laws, are parts of the nation’s defense
industrial base.
