Senator Tim Sheehy and Katherine Boyle, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, have called for major reforms to the United States defense acquisition system in an op-ed published by Fox News. The piece argues that the current system is outdated and hinders the country’s ability to respond quickly to global threats.
“The United States simply cannot afford to wait until the next war starts to fix our broken acquisition system. We cannot sacrifice our national security on the altar of bureaucracy,” wrote Sen. Sheehy and Boyle.
They noted that while the U.S. once led in military production during World War II and maintained this edge through the Cold War, over the past 30 years it has lost its industrial advantage due to increased regulations and slow processes. According to their analysis, adversaries like China have rapidly modernized their militaries as America’s defense industrial base became less efficient.
A 2024 congressional report highlighted that America faces some of its most serious global threats since World War II and may not be prepared for a major conflict. The op-ed pointed out concerns such as reports suggesting the U.S. could run out of long-range, anti-ship missiles within a week if faced with conflict against China, and cited Pentagon data showing it takes nearly 12 years to deliver new weapons systems.
Sheehy and Boyle argue that decades of strict regulations have reduced agility in defense manufacturing, leaving troops with outdated equipment. They believe reforming weapon development, production, and deployment is necessary for national security.
To address these challenges, they support initiatives in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), particularly the Dynamic Tech Defense Reform initiative. This aims to encourage private sector investment in defense technology by changing how contracts are awarded and making it easier for innovative companies to participate.
The NDAA proposes a “commercial first” model that would require Pentagon officers to consider commercial solutions before custom-built programs, potentially saving time and taxpayer money. It also seeks to simplify contracting requirements so more businesses can join the defense sector, which could strengthen supply chains by reducing reliance on just one or two suppliers for key components.
Another reform would change how past performance is evaluated in contract awards, allowing newer companies with better solutions a fairer chance against established contractors.
“These reforms will ensure our defense industrial base is vibrant and able to produce and iterate quickly – a requirement for modern warfare,” Sheehy and Boyle wrote. They referenced recent conflicts such as Russia’s war with Ukraine as examples where rapid production of military equipment is crucial.
They concluded: “The time is now for Congress to reinvigorate our defense industrial base to meet the demands of the 21st century. Let’s get to work.”
