Steel, Deterrence and the Right Priorities Reflected in New Defense Plan

Written by Amber Smith | Published by StarsandStripes.com on March 5, 2026

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The Department of War’s newly released defense spending plan signals something Washington has struggled to deliver in recent years: a return to strategic fundamentals. Rather than diffusing resources across trendy concepts or politically convenient programs, this package places its emphasis squarely on shipbuilding, munitions production, missile defense, Indo-Pacific posture, and readiness. The shift is less about how much is being spent and more about what that spending says. The priorities are finally aligned with the realities of great-power competition and with the operational demands now on display in Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East.

The renewed focus on shipbuilding is particularly significant. The addition of more Arleigh Burke-class destroyer vessels and another Virginia-class submarine strengthens America’s maritime backbone at a time when sea control is once again central to deterrence. In the Indo-Pacific especially, geography dictates strategy. 

Ships provide persistent presence, missile defense, strike capability, and the ability to operate across vast distances. They are not abstract symbols of power. They are daily demonstrations of it. As Operation Epic Fury has shown, forward-deployed naval forces and long-range strike capabilities are not theoretical investments — they are actively defending U.S. national security interests and those of our allies.

That maritime focus connects directly to what American and allied forces are practicing in the field. U.S. Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are training alongside Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in complex island-defense exercises across the Ryukyu chain. These drills are designed to prevent conflict by making clear that aggression would be costly and contested from the outset. But exercises alone do not deter. 

They must be backed by real capacity, with ships that can defend sea lanes, submarines that can hold targets at risk, and logistics networks that can sustain operations under pressure. This budget reinforces that credibility. The decisive strikes carried out under Operation Epic Fury reinforce the same message: the United States will not tolerate sustained aggression against its people, its forces, or its partners.

Just as important is the sustained attention to munitions and the defense industrial base. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that modern warfare consumes precision weapons at astonishing rates. Stockpiles without replenishment are illusions. By investing in production capacity, automation, and critical components like solid rocket motors, the Department of War is rebuilding the arsenal as a renewable strength rather than a finite cache. Deterrence depends not only on what sits in inventory today, but on what can be produced tomorrow.

The emphasis on air and missile defense further reflects a sober assessment of the threat environment. As adversaries expand and refine their missile capabilities, the ability to detect, track, and defeat incoming threats becomes foundational. Defensive systems protect forward forces, reassure allies, and ensure that offensive options remain viable even under pressure. A credible shield strengthens the overall deterrent posture. Layered defenses supporting Operation Epic Fury demonstrate how preparedness saves lives and preserves freedom of action for our commanders.

The plan’s support for scalable, lower-cost weapons and production innovation is also notable. Innovation is no longer defined solely by exquisite, high-end systems fielded in small numbers. It increasingly means designing systems for scale, resilience, and rapid production. A force that can field affordable, numerous capabilities is harder to overwhelm and harder to outlast.

Equally critical is the attention to readiness. Maintenance, training, and sustainment rarely make headlines, but they determine whether ships sail, aircraft fly, and units deploy when needed. A hollow force deters no one. Investing in readiness ensures that the capabilities being funded are not theoretical but immediately usable. The professionalism and precision displayed by our servicemembers in Operation Epic Fury are a testament to that readiness and to the merit-based leadership, training, and preparation that make mission success possible.

There will always be debates about defense spending levels. But the more important debate concerns alignment. Are we funding what will actually deter, and when necessary, win wars? This plan suggests a welcome shift toward coherence: maritime strength paired with industrial depth, advanced defenses paired with scalable production, allied exercises backed by real capacity. In a more dangerous and contested world, those are not extravagances. They are the foundations of peace through strength.

Most importantly, we extend our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women serving in uniform who are carrying out Operation Epic Fury. Their professionalism, courage, and dedication embody the very best of our nation. We are praying for the families of those who have lost their lives in this ongoing operation and remain steadfast in our support for those still in harm’s way. America stands with you.

Amber Smith, a military advisor for the Coalition for Military Excellence, is a former U.S. Army combat helicopter pilot and former deputy assistant to the Secretary of Defense.