Mitre, a research and development innovation partner to the U.S. and international organizations, has urged the Department of Defense to boost international collaboration in defense acquisitions, noting that the program offices responsible for developing new military systems generally do so in isolation from allies who would fight alongside American forces.
In a newly published paper, titled “Buy the Way We Fight: Polices, Practices and Partnerships for International Acquisitions,” Mitre proposes three actions DOD could take to improve acquisition-focused collaboration:
- Update acquisition policy to provide clear and consistent guidance about the importance of international collaboration,
- Create forums for acquisition professionals to build connections with their peers around the world, and
- Establish new norms for international collaboration on defense acquisition efforts.
The paper indicated that the proposed actions will lead to improved interoperability and access to broader innovation and address potential risks and mitigation strategies.
International collaboration will also create opportunities to do business with countries from allied countries. The paper cited how the AUKUS trilateral partnership enabled companies in Australia and the United Kingdom to work under U.S. contracts.
Welcoming businesses from allied countries will expand DOD’s industrial base and foster a greater degree of competition for the its benefit, Mitre said.