Harman made these remarks during a congressional hearing, as reported by Voice of America.
Key Points:
- Pace of Innovation: Ukraine and Russia are both innovating on the front lines, implementing changes in weeks rather than years. Harman noted this rapid development after visiting Kyiv recently.
- US National Defense Strategy: The hearing highlighted the need for the United States to initiate long-term investments in national security and industrial infrastructure. It was stressed that the Department of Defense must match the speed and scale of innovations seen in Ukraine to remain effective.
- Outdated Practices: The National Defense Strategy Commission report suggests that some of the current US approaches to procurement, research, and development are outdated. The report calls for an overhaul to align with the current strategic landscape.
- Case Studies: The report cited operational changes within the US Space Force and the Defense Innovation Unit as examples, but noted these are exceptions rather than the norm.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Harman emphasized Ukraine's efficiency in innovation, using the example of drones being developed for as little as $350. She contrasted this with the high costs associated with procurement within the Pentagon.
The observations made during the hearing underscore the need for the US to re-evaluate its strategies and adopt a more agile approach to military innovation, learning from Ukraine's ability to implement rapid and cost-effective solutions.
