The Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force recently released final report findings and recommendations regarding threats and vulnerabilities.
“Throughout the pandemic, U.S. adversaries like China weaponized supply chain vulnerabilities in a way that threatened Americans’ health and security,” Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who co-chairs the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force with Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), said. “Our Defense Critical Supply Chain faces similar weaknesses that, if exploited, would impair our ability to compete with our adversaries and respond to crises. This problem will not age well. This report makes concrete recommendations that help mitigate these risks, enhance our resilience, and better secure our defense supply chain.”
The panel indicated among its recommendations the Department of Defense (DOD) must treat supply chain security as a defense strategic priority; initiate a statutory requirement for a department-wide risk assessment strategy and system enabling continuous monitoring and risk assessment within the defense supply chain; and a DOD statutory requirement to employ commercially available tools as a means of mapping the defense supply chain within one year of enactment.
“Last year, we all saw how the shortages of PPE cost American lives,” Slotkin said. “We struggled to get things like masks and gloves for our healthcare workers, and it was obvious that our supply chains had failed. It was so clear we could never let that happen again, especially on items that are directly connected to our national security. We’ve come up with a strong set of proposals that will help minimize our reliance on foreign suppliers – particularly China – and prevent future shortages.”