The new administration will likely bring changes to the Defense Department as President-elect Joe Biden takes office. Frank Kendall, who served as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics during the Obama Administration, spoke with “Government Matters” about what the defense industry can expect from a Biden administration.
“I think there will be less radical change than some people have expressed concerns about. There’s a very experienced team that’s available to President-elect Biden, and I think he’ll have really competent people supporting him. And I think they understand really well the threats to this nation and the needs that national security imposes on us, and they’ll act accordingly,” Kendall said.
He said he anticipates more of an emphasis on U.S. alliances in the next administration. He expects more collaboration and greater respect for allies.
“I think there’ll be a desire to work more closely with allies. I think there’ll be a desire to engage in more cooperative activities…” he said. “I also think there’s a strong desire to benefit the American economy.”
Kendall said the next administration will ensure allies have the necessary tools for success while also prioritizing American jobs. He said the threat landscape will likely remain the same over the next four years.
“The thing that’s going to be different … is greater reliance on our partners around the world and a more even-handed approach which uses diplomacy and other tools and not just the military or the threat of the military, as principal means of engaging,” Kendall said.
Kendall said Biden’s team will have a deep bench of people to pick from for leadership roles at the Pentagon.
“He’ll have a lot of good choices to make, in terms of people that want to enter the government,” Kendall said.
