Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn, director at CSIS who studies military supply chains, explains how Iran uses cheap drones to force expensive U.S. munitions to be used. The conversation covers Iran’s low-cost mass production, why the U.S. favors high-end weapons, strains on missile inventories, rising anti-drone defenses, and calls to prioritize quantity, diverse suppliers, and surge production funding.

Lt. Gen. Dave Bassett, USA Ret., a seasoned former Defense Contract Management Agency director; Dr. Jerry McGinn, a specialist in industrial mobilization at CSIS; and Steve Grundman, former Pentagon industrial base chief, discuss ambitious acquisition reforms by Secretary Hegseth. They explore accelerating military capabilities, incorporating commercial products, and enhancing second sourcing. The panel also debates the challenges of right to repair, workforce dynamics, and incentivizing industry investments while gauging the future of U.S. arms exports.

Joining the discussion are Bryan Clark, who leads the Center for Defense Concepts and Innovation at the Hudson Institute; Jeff Bialos, former deputy undersecretary of defense for industrial policy; and Jerry McGinn, who heads the Center for the Industrial Base at CSIS. They dive into the Pentagon's plans to acquire stakes in defense contractors for enhanced capabilities. The guests critique current acquisition strategies and emphasize the need for a more agile approach to improve military readiness. They also discuss the innovation landscape and the challenges faced by new firms in defense.