ASP in the News: Lt Gen Norman R. Seip Discusses America’s Defense Production on National Review
On July 26, ASP President Lt Gen Norman R. Seip, USAF (Ret.) published an op-ed in National Review calling for a surge in America’s defense production. Noting supply shortages exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war with Iran, Lt Gen Seip believes it is plainly obvious that the U.S. is not truly prepared to fight a high-intensity conflict with a peer adversary such as China. To correct these deficiencies Lt Gen Seip states:
Our country needs to reinvigorate its defense industrial base in an efficient and effective manner. Efficient, because the American people deserve maximum return on their tax dollars; and effective, because the weapons and equipment produced now must reliably meet the needs of both today and tomorrow. Take the example of the B-52, a bomber designed in the 1950s and destined to remain in service until at least 2050. High-quality American engineering withstands the test of time. We need more of that — and fast.
Lt Gen Seip closes by reminding us of President Eisenhower’s wise words on the defense industrial base:
In his 1961 farewell address, President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the American people about the growing influence of what he called the military-industrial complex, but in doing so, he also explained that “we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense.” Supply shortages and battlefield challenges exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Operation Epic Fury illustrate that we are still stuck in a cycle of emergency improvisation.
Read the full op-ed at National Review.
