UK and US defense capabilities have benefitted extensively from close industrial and technological cooperation for over seventy years. As the two allies contend with the fiscal challenges of the post-financial crisis era, the time is right to consider the benefits of close cooperation and approaches to maximize cooperation for the future. International Defense-industrial Cooperation in the Post-financial Crisis Era includes papers on key challenges facing the defense industry over the coming years from thought leaders in the defense community from the Atlantic Council, American Enterprise Institute, Center for a New American Security, and Stimson Center.

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International Defense-industrial Cooperation in the Post-financial Crisis Era comprises four essays on the following subjects:

  • The first paper applies the economist David Ricardo’s concept of comparative advantage to international defence cooperation and questions where the incentives to act on the opportunity rest
  • The second considers whether current approaches to protecting and controlling technology are appropriate for the new century, particularly in light of the technological leaps being witnessed in civil areas
  • The third employs the framework of a business model to reconsider the customary practices that underlie transnational armaments cooperation and recommend a more effective approach
  • The fourth paper reflects on the combination of budgetary pressures and technological surprise that has catalysed change in defence procurement during previous cycles

The report includes papers by:

  • Ben Fitzgerald, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security
  • Bill Greenwalt, visiting fellow at the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies, American Enterprise Institute
  • Steven Grundman, M.A. and George Lund Fellow for Emerging Defense Challenges, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council
  • James Hasik, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council and Williams Powers Fellow and Clements Graduate Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin
  • Russel Rumbaugh, Director, Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense, and Senior Associate, Stimson Center

With an introduction by Lewis Hedge, First Secretary, Defence Acquisition Policy and Trade, British Embassy Washington

The report set the scene for a panel discussion with the authors at the British Embassy on September 16, 2014.

Related Experts: James Hasik and Steven Grundman