In a recent report to Congress, the Pentagon has acknowledged that America’s declining industrial base is becoming a national security threat. Further, the only suppliers for certain parts and materials are foreign-based, and increasingly, the American military is dependent on Chinese-made inputs.
Chinese parts are now found in many of America’s most advanced weapons, including the 5th generation F-35 jet. Given that China is emerging as America’s chief rival on the global stage, this sets up a dangerous conflict of interest. If the United States were forced into a conflict or war with China, that flow of parts would obviously stop. Would America have the munitions needed?
Many of the vital inputs needed to produce weapons are coming under pressure. For example, only one American company, American Pacific, produces ammonium perchlorate, which is vital for missiles. Low demand for the ammonium perchlorate has reduced American Pacific’s production capacity to only about 15 percent of full capacity. Now, there are worries that if called upon, American Pacific would struggle to restore full production levels.
Other chemicals are already running out. The Pentagon has only one supplier for dimeryl diisocyanate, which is used as a propellant for some missiles. Yet the sole producer of the chemical has informed the Pentagon that they are exiting the market. This will leave the Pentagon without a source.
Meanwhile, Dechlorane Plus 25, which is used to insulate weapons, is also tough to get. There are no domestic suppliers, with America relying on Belgian sources. Further, the Chinese company that was producing the precursor to Dechlorane Plus 25 is shutting down production.
Yet another example is Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB). A French firm, Total, is the Pentagon’s only supplier. The Pentagon complains in its report that Total’s production reliability and quality is lacking, with some batches failing to meet standards. Yet the Pentagon has no one else to turn to.
Mil-Tech Knowledge Base is Shrinking
Meanwhile, a lack of investment in new designs and parts is also eroding America’s mil-tech knowledge-base. The United States is increasingly reliant on older designs that are, at best, updated. America’s missiles, for example, have progressed very little over the last several years.
This is starting to produce a shortage of skilled talent. Fewer scientists and engineers are now working on developing new missiles and other technologies. At the same time, the individuals who created America’s most recent generation of many technologies are approaching retirement age. The Pentagon report notes that half of Aerospace and Defense Industry professionals are aged 46 or older. Just 21 percent are under the age of 35.
Declining Manufacturing Base Also a Threat
The overall decline of America’s manufacturing base is also raising national security concerns. The Pentagon report acknowledges that globalization and the erosion of America’s manufacturing sector are creating a shortage of manufacturing workers and overall skills.
In the past, America’s manufacturing sector employed as much as 25 percent of the national labor force. Currently, however, less than 10 percent of people are employed in manufacturing. During World War II, GM, Ford, and Chrysler assembly plants switched to wartime production, cranking out tanks, planes, and other war machines. Now, it’s questionable whether America could actually achieve “wartime” production or if it’s already at or near max capacity.
See the full Pentagon report here.
