Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey discusses modernization priorities

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

December 10, 2025

 

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey discussed the Department of Defense’s urgent push toward modernization, industrial resilience and faster capability delivery during the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), Dec. 2.

 

I/ITSEC is the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) event, held annually the week after Thanksgiving at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The conference brings together the global MS&T community for a full week of demonstrations, discussions and collaboration, drawing thousands of professionals, including senior civilian and military leaders, industry executives and academic researchers.

 

Moderated by the Hon. David Norquist, president and chief executive officer of the National Defense Industrial Association, the fireside chat opened I/ITSEC’s ceremonies. Norquist asked Duffey about the department’s modernization priorities, accelerating acquisition timelines and efforts to strengthen the industrial base amid global threats.

 

Duffey began by emphasizing that accelerating capability delivery is no longer an aspirational goal for the Department of Defense — it has become an operational necessity driven by the speed and sophistication of modern threats.

 

As global competitors field advanced systems at increasing speed, Duffey said the department must streamline processes, adopt modern engineering approaches and eliminate unnecessary barriers across the acquisition lifecycle.

 

“Our adversaries are not waiting for us to perfect the process,” Duffey said. “We must be faster, more flexible and more integrated across the enterprise if we expect to stay ahead and maintain our strategic edge.”

 

He noted that digital engineering and model-based systems development have become essential tools for improving program performance and reducing cycle times, emphasizing how MS&T is transforming not only training but also design, testing, sustainment and operational planning.

 

“The modeling and simulation community has been doing digital engineering before we ever called it that,” Duffey said. “Your work gives us the ability to test, analyze and refine capabilities before steel is ever cut.”

 

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the defense industrial base and the urgent need to expand capacity, diversify suppliers and ensure secure access to critical materials.

 

Duffey described the department’s ongoing efforts to mitigate supply-chain vulnerabilities highlighted by recent geopolitical and economic disruptions. Strengthening domestic manufacturing, investing in emerging technologies and encouraging nontraditional vendors, he said, are vital to long-term national security.

 

“A resilient industrial base is a strategic advantage,” Duffey said. “We cannot afford single points of failure, and we must ensure our supply chains are robust, diversified and able to support the demands of modern defense capabilities.”

 

Norquist asked about workforce readiness, noting rising demand for technical talent. Duffey agreed, stressing the need to invest in training, career development and recruitment that prioritize technical excellence and adaptability.

 

Duffey said the MS&T community plays a critical role in developing immersive training solutions that help prepare personnel for rapidly evolving mission needs and operational challenges.

 

“Whether it’s our acquisition professionals or our maintainers on the flight line, we need a workforce equipped for the future fight,” Duffey said. “Investing in their skills, adaptability and technical expertise is essential to maintaining our strategic advantage.”

 

As the conversation continued, Duffey reiterated the importance of collaboration across the services, between government and industry and between operational and acquisition communities.

 

“We get the best results when we bring everyone to the table early,” Duffey said. “Partnership is not optional. It’s fundamental.”

 

Throughout the session, Duffey returned to the theme of readiness. While modernization programs often focus on next-generation capabilities, he noted that sustainment remains a critical priority.

 

Ensuring that fielded systems remain reliable, effective and affordable throughout their lifecycle is essential to maintaining combat power. Advanced analytics, predictive maintenance and digital twins — many on display across the I/ITSEC exhibit floor — are tools he believes will help meet these sustainment challenges.

 

“Availability is readiness,” Duffey said. “It doesn’t matter how advanced a system is if it’s not ready when needed. Every capability must be maintained and supported throughout its lifecycle to ensure it can perform reliably in any operational environment.”

 

Duffey closed the session by expressing appreciation for the MS&T community’s expertise and dedication, highlighting how their innovative approaches and collaborative efforts are vital to the department’s mission success and long-term strategic goals.

 

“You are helping us solve some of the department’s hardest problems,” Duffey said. “Your work accelerates capability delivery, strengthens readiness and ensures our warfighters stay ahead of emerging threats.”