27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – National/Regional Security
Col. Wes Spurlock emphasized that economic security is now inseparable from national security, particularly in an era where technological innovation is largely driven by the private sector. He noted that research and development has shifted dramatically over time, with roughly 80 percent now coming from private industry rather than the Department of Defense. As a result, the U.S. government must partner with private capital and technology developers instead of simply acting as a traditional buyer of military equipment. He highlighted concerns about intellectual property theft and technology duplication, particularly by China, and warned against predatory economic practices such as “debt trap diplomacy” associated with initiatives like the Belt and Road. Spurlock stressed that the United States should not attempt to “be China to beat China,” but instead offer partnership-based alternatives grounded in transparency and shared values.
He underscored vulnerabilities in critical supply chains, including microprocessors and rare earth materials, arguing that component-level technologies are essential to military readiness and broader societal stability. To address these challenges, he discussed efforts to leverage financial tools beyond procurement, including loans and investment mechanisms that attract and scale private capital for national security technologies.
He pointed to initiatives such as the U.S. Development Finance Corporation and the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital, which now provides federal credit tools to support critical technologies. He also referenced Air Force innovation funding programs that have engaged thousands of companies, many of which had never previously worked with the government, fostering earlier and more collaborative partnerships. He concluded that aligning economic incentives, strengthening cooperation with allies, and integrating private capital into national security strategy are essential to maintaining technological leadership and long-term strategic advantage.
