Pete Hegseth's Acquisition Reform Emphasizes Private Sector Role

The Army plans to harness more of America’s cutting-edge companies to focus their talent and technologies on national-security problems. However, a provision under consideration in the 2026 NDAA could undermine this effort by establishing government-owned production facilities for drones. Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent speech emphasized the need for commercialization, while Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg’s initiatives have highlighted the importance of drawing in new companies and commercial innovation. The proposal’s potential drawbacks suggest that policymakers should be cautious about government involvement in drone production.