Defense Innovation at Speed: DIU and the Future of Warfare with Owen West

Owen West, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), discusses the urgent effort to modernize U.S. military capability in an era of rapidly evolving technological competition and rising geopolitical threats.

Moderated by Joe Felter, with introductory remarks from Ernestine Fu Mak, the discussion explores how DIU is working to bridge the gap between the Department of War and the commercial technology ecosystem—accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies, expanding access to nontraditional defense companies, and reshaping how the military acquires and fields new capabilities.

Drawing on his experience in the Marines, the Pentagon, and Wall Street, West shares candid insights on topics such as the changing nature of warfare, the rise of autonomous systems and low-cost drones, procurement reform, and the need to harness American entrepreneurship and innovation to maintain the United States’ technological and strategic edge. He also explains why speed, scale, and affordability have become central to national defense strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Commercial Innovation Is Now Essential to Defense

  DIU was created to connect the Department of War with startups and non-traditional technology companies that can deliver capabilities faster than traditional procurement models.

• Autonomous Systems Are Changing Warfare

  Drones and other low-cost autonomous platforms have become some of the most consequential military technologies of the modern era, forcing a rethink of defense strategy and spending.

• Speed and Cost Matter as Much as Performance

  The military must field technologies faster and reduce costs, especially when adversaries can deploy inexpensive systems at scale.

• There Are Many Ways to Serve

  West emphasized that contributing to national security does not require military service—entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, and technologists all have important roles to play.