Procurement Paralysis: How Slow Processes Undermine U.S. National Security in the Face of Rising Competition 

In the race for global influence, America’s ability to innovate and deploy cutting-edge military technology has always been a cornerstone of its national security. As the world shifts toward multipolar competition—with China as a rising challenger—the United States’ procurement system faces significant challenges. While necessary safeguards ensure transparency and accountability, the complexity of regulations and extended timelines can slow the pace of innovation. In contrast, China’s centralized approach to acquisition has enabled rapid advancements in emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence to hypersonic missiles. To remain competitive, the U.S. must find ways to streamline its processes while maintaining the strengths of its system. 

The Cold War Blueprint 

During the Cold War, America’s procurement system was marked by a high degree of speed, flexibility, and collaboration. The government and private industry worked closely to align innovations with military needs, allowing prototyping and deployment to occur at an accelerated pace. Programs like the U-2 spy plane and the Polaris missile were conceived, developed, and deployed in just a few years—an extraordinary feat given their complexity. 

This agility was supported by a more streamlined approach to acquisition, where military leaders and industry executives maintained open communication channels, enabling real-time feedback and adjustments. The emphasis was on achieving effective outcomes and not necessarily on compliance issues, though both are needed today. The result was a dynamic innovation ecosystem that provided the U.S. with a strategic edge against the Soviet Union. 

Today’s Procurement Problem 

Fast forward to the present, and the contrast is significant. Modern U.S. defense procurement operates within a complex regulatory environment designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and cost efficiency. However, these necessary safeguards have also contributed to an intricate process that can slow innovation and responsiveness. Prototyping timelines often extend over many years, and promising technologies frequently struggle to transition from development to deployment, a challenge known as the “valley of death.” 

Jerry Hendrix, in a recent episode of the Great Power Podcast, highlighted the impact of these delays,. “Our stringent rules and elongated timelines aren’t just inefficiencies; they’re liabilities,” Hendrix argued. “They hamper our ability to innovate at the speed of relevance, leaving gaps that adversaries like China are all too eager to exploit.” While maintaining accountability is essential, finding ways to enhance agility within the system is equally critical to staying ahead in an era of strategic competition.” 

The China Challenge 

China’s procurement system, while far from what the US should model itself after, benefits from centralized decision-making and a clear alignment between military goals and industrial output. This approach has allowed China to fast-track critical advancements. For instance, the nation has rapidly developed and deployed hypersonic weapons, a domain where the U.S. is now playing catch-up. Beijing’s focus on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space technologies underscores its ambition to dominate future battlefields. 

The pace at which China moves is alarming, not just for its speed but for its strategic coherence. The Chinese government’s ability to take calculated risks and swiftly allocate resources presents a contrast to the more decentralized and deliberative approach of the U.S. system. While the American model prioritizes rigorous oversight and competition, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency without compromising key safeguards will be critical in this era of strategic competition. 

Lessons from the Past 

To regain its competitive edge, the U.S. must revisit the principles that defined its Cold War success and bring innovation into the acquisition process. First, fostering closer collaboration between government and industry is essential. Private sector innovation thrives when there is clear communication about military needs and priorities. Establishing faster prototyping programs—modeled after initiatives like the Cold War’s Skunk Works—could bridge the gap between development and deployment. 

Efforts such as the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and other rapid acquisition initiatives have made strides in streamlining innovation and accelerating prototyping. These programs demonstrate the potential for agility within the current system, but more is needed to scale their impact and ensure that emerging technologies transition effectively from prototypes to operational capabilities. Expanding these efforts and integrating lessons learned from them will be crucial in making procurement more responsive to modern threats. 

Second, reforming the acquisition process is essential to improving efficiency and ensuring the U.S. remains competitive. By shifting the focus from rigid procedural requirements to streamlined, outcome-driven procurement, the government can enhance agility while maintaining necessary oversight. Solutions like Rohirrim’s generative AI platform, RohanProcure, can play a key role in this transformation by automating complex procurement tasks, reducing administrative bottlenecks, and accelerating decision-making for government procurement offices. 

Additionally, empowering the acquisition workforce with advanced tools and greater flexibility is critical. RohanProcure enables procurement professionals to navigate complex regulatory landscapes with greater efficiency by automating documentation, improving decision-making, and minimizing administrative burdens. By integrating innovative technologies and fostering a culture that supports responsible risk-taking, the U.S. can create a more agile and responsive defense acquisition ecosystem, ultimately strengthening national security. 

The Path Forward 

The stakes could not be higher. National security, technological leadership, and America’s ability to shape the global order all hinge on its capacity to innovate and adapt. Policymakers and industry leaders must prioritize procurement reform as a matter of strategic urgency. Concrete steps—such as creating fast-track acquisition pathways and reinvigorating partnerships with private industry—can lay the groundwork for a more responsive and effective system. 

America has faced and overcome existential challenges before. The Cold War’s Sputnik moment galvanized the nation to prioritize innovation and investment. Today, as the U.S. confronts a rising China, it must channel that same urgency to revitalize its procurement process. The question is not whether America can adapt—it’s whether it will act swiftly enough to do so. 

Erin Underwood

EVP Strategic Initiatives and Security