Transforming the future of war

The biggest wars of the century gone by were won more by the side with greater industrial capability and technological excellence than those with larger populations or greater mineral wealth.

- AJAI SHUKLA

During World War II, the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) diverted almost their entire research, development and manufacturing capability to the industrial scale production of combat equipment, establishing what came to be known as "total war economies". Even women left the homestead to work full-time at assembling weapons, equipment and ammunition, as illustrated by posters of "Rosie the Riveter" - the American housewife working heroically on the factory floor. Practically every organ of these governments coordinated its efforts towards producing war materials as a result of which the US alone built over 150 combat aircraft and a large warship every day.

Today, the global geostrategic arena is witnessing a different churn as America, still the world's biggest superpower, seeks to contain a fast-rising rival, China. Beijing has recently ordered all commercial firms within its borders to make their research and technology available for military exploitation. To marshal comparable assets, the US government has to strengthen the relationship between the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) and the US private industry, especially the computer hardware and software hub in California known as Silicon Valley. This book tells us how the US managed to achieve this.