U.S. national security is increasingly linked to insecure nations, the author writes. | REUTERS
More national security work ahead
By Johan Bergenas
As the belt tightens on the Pentagon's budget, it would seem that U.S. defense contractors face tough times over the next 10 years. As the U.S. defense market shrinks, however, significant opportunities are emerging to supply security technology to non-traditional customers  -  like developing states grappling with transnational threats. Meeting this demand will bolster businesses' bottom lines and U.S. national security as well as poorer countries' development aspirations. In this globalized world, U.S. national security depends less and less on military firepower. It's instead increasingly linked to insecure nations that can fall prey to transnational criminal enterprises and terrorist groups. Story Continued Below
So a major endeavor of the 21st century is to build resilient societies able to safeguard against these illicit actors. Defense contractors have the technology, skills and solutions to play an important role in building such "societal security." They can bolster border, port and infrastructure security; provide high-tech solutions for fighting crimes; and offer creative ways to adapt to climate change. Yet it is up to Washington to encourage companies to develop a product portfolio that can address these international security challenges. The U.S. government won't have to make this investment alone. European nations, Japan and emerging regional powers like Brazil are also recognizing the interconnected nature of today's security and development challenges. Tokyo, for example, is pivoting toward a "strategic use" of development aid to promote safety and security in vulnerable states. Transferring societal security technology to poorer countries is part of the concept that sustainable development can be achieved through security-capacity building. Forming strong relationships with the defense industry could be critical to fighting the illicit trafficking of arms, drugs and people, as well as the spread of dangerous technologies for weapons of mass destruction. All of which undermine U.S. security interests at home and abroad. In addition, by becoming a leading provider of societal security, especially in emerging and developing markets, defense contractors can not only be doing good, they will benefit financially. The market for societal security spending is worth more than $200 billion, according to a recent study. However, this figure primarily represents markets in developed states, or rising economic powerhouses. In the next quarter-century, as the purchasing power of developing countries and emerging economies matures, this number is expected to be exponentially larger. Africa alone will require more than $1 trillion in infrastructure upgrades in the next 25 years  -  and it will then require security. Indeed, East Africa is an ideal region for contractors to get their feet wet. In this part of the world, U.S. defense and security priorities meet regional economic development and societal security aspirations. In East Africa, proliferation of ingredients for biological weapons, the illicit spread of small arms and growth in organized crime and terrorism are but a few of the regional threats that could have serious global implications. A cornerstone of combating these challenges is a commitment to protecting borders and shoring up a security capacity that these states are unable to build themselves  -  at least for now. Yet as developing regions grow to become emerging economic centers, countries in the global south will not only develop as a significant portion of the defense industry's future market, they will be able to finance these investments themselves. U.S. businesses have always been leaders in innovation. In this age of austerity and defense cuts, it is up to the defense industry to start thinking beyond its traditional role. In partnership with governments, corporations can play a critical role in building resilient societies across the globe  -  to everyone's benefit. Johan Bergenas is the deputy director of the Managing Across Boundaries program at the Stimson Center, a global security policy organization. Share on Facebook
Johan Bergenas is the deputy director of the Managing Across Boundaries Initiative at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC.
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