2023 Defense Conference Recap

October 19, 2023

Michael Owens, Executive Director - Project Management, RPS | Australia, Asia, Pacific
Christopher Rose, Counsellor Defence Acquisition Policy and Trade British Defence Staff, British Embassy
Malina Rumble, Director Integrated Product Support, Australian Government Defence
James "Lew" Sigmon III, Director, J35 Plans and Exercises (PLEX), Defense Logistics Agency
Moderator: Will Johnson, Senior Vice President, Operations Manager, Logistics & Mission Support, Leidos

The panel centered on the theme of "Contested Logistics”, particularly within the Pacific theater. They highlighted the crucial collaborations necessary with allies and partners to address and surmount logistical challenges worldwide. Specifically, the discussion explored the challenges faced in the Indo-Pacific region and how industry initiatives are supporting the Department of Defense in navigating the “tyranny of distance”. Furthermore, the impact of the AUKUS partnership on both the U.S. domestic and global Defense Industrial Base was examined, along with efforts by U.S. officials to incorporate ally and partner perspectives into strategic planning. The importance of surge clauses in logistics requirements, ensuring timely response to sudden logistical needs, and the adequacy of processes and pipelines for sustaining rapid force deployments were key considerations. Drawing insights from the situation in Ukraine, the panel shed light on potential unknowns and evolving operational requirements in modern logistics. The discussion also covered successful partnerships with the U.S., U.K., and Australia, while identifying areas for potential enhancements in processes, policies, and procedures.