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Wittman Convenes Defense Leaders to Accelerate Military Capability and Strengthen Industrial Base
Washington,
May 1, 2026
Williamsburg, VA – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) convened senior defense leaders and industry executives alongside Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, Michael Duffey, for a roundtable discussion focused on Virginia’s role in America’s defense, strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base, and accelerating the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter.
The discussion brought together leaders from across the defense ecosystem, including shipbuilding, advanced weapons systems, autonomy, and defense services, to address key challenges facing the nation’s military readiness. Participants highlighted several urgent priorities, including:
“What we heard today was clear: America has the innovation and industrial strength to lead, but our processes and bureaucracy continue to hamper progress,” said Rep. Wittman. “Ensuring our warfighters have the capabilities they need requires a stronger, more responsive industrial base and a procurement system that can keep pace with evolving threats. The greatest risk is not a lack of capability — it is the pace at which we deliver it. I will continue working with the Department of War and our industry partners to remove barriers and deliver results.” Under Secretary Duffey emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Department of War and industry partners to improve acquisition outcomes and ensure timely delivery of capabilities. The discussion underscored broad alignment among participants that speed, scale, and innovation must be prioritized to maintain U.S. military advantage in an increasingly complex global environment. Congressman Wittman will continue to work with Department of War leadership and industry stakeholders to advance policies that strengthen the defense industrial base, improve the efficiency of the acquisition process, and leverage the contributions of Virginia to our nation’s defense. In fiscal year 2024 alone, defense spending accounted for 10% of Virginia’s GDP, the second highest of any state in the nation. Participating Organizations Included:
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