Honored to Give Keynote Address—“Taiwan: The Stakes”—at SENEDIA Defense Innovation Days 2024!

15 September 2024

Honored to Give Keynote Address—“Taiwan: The Stakes”—at SENEDIA Defense Innovation Days 2024!

Andrew S. Erickson, “Taiwan: The Stakes,” Keynote Address at Defense Innovation Days; organized by SENEDIA, The Alliance for Defense Tech, Talent, and Innovation; Newport, Rhode Island, 28 August 2024.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS.

SENEDIA Defense Innovation Days 2024 Keynote Address – Foreign Challenges by Dr. Andrew Erickson, Naval War College, China Maritime Studies Institute on August 28, 2024.

REPORT ON WHICH THIS PRESENTATION IS BASED:

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, Annexation of Taiwan: A Defeat From Which the US and Its Allies Could Not Retreat (Houston, TX: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, 1 August 2024).

Click here to download a cached PDF copy.

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PRESS RELEASE REGARDING DEFENSE INNOVATION DAYS 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 August 2024

Contact: press@senedia.org

Significant Threats Require Partnership and Innovation

National Leaders Join National Security Conversation

at 10th Anniversary Defense Innovation Days

NEWPORT, R.I. — SENEDIA, the Alliance for Defense Tech, Talent, and Innovation, yesterday concluded the 10th anniversary convening of Defense Innovation Days, their signature national event that brings together nearly 400 of the most influential decisionmakers in national security and leading innovators in the defense industry.

“For a decade, Defense Innovation Days has been a can’t-miss event for all those working in service of our national defense,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “There is tremendous value in bringing government, academia, and industry together to discuss how we can work together more effectively to protect democracy and strengthen the economy. I am grateful to SENEDIA for making these connections happen and keeping their foot on the gas to accelerate innovation in defense technology.”

Distinguished speakers at this sold-out event included the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services, Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, opened this year’s event by highlighting the importance of New England to the sector and to national security, making Newport the perfect setting. According to SENEDIA’s latest economic impact report, defense accounts for 407,523 jobs and $119.1 billion in economic output in the region.

“The defense economy in New England provides many good jobs and plays an outsized role in safeguarding our national security and helping prepare and keep our Allies safe from global threats,” said Senator Shaheen. “Thank you to SENEDIA for hosting this annual event that helps foster collaboration and communication between innovative leaders across New England’s defense industry.”

Among the key takeaways for this year’s event are:

The threats against American interests and democracy are significant and varied, from Russia to China and beyond.
These threats have created opportunities for unprecedented levels of cooperation and collaboration with both longtime and unexpected allies, as evidenced by our work on AUKUS and effort to protect a free Indo-Pacific.
We cannot slow down on efforts to innovate. For America to maintain military dominance, we must look for new ways to leverage technology, including AI, and that means leaning on industry and making it easier for them to collaborate with the government. Innovative prototypes must ensure a path to produce to scale.
Technology depends on skilled talent. We must invest in robust recruitment, training, and workforce development to attract and retain the purpose-driven skilled workforce that we need to meet demand.

“Defense Innovation Days brings together the most influential voices in national security, paired with the most innovative leaders of the defense industry. This year’s 10th anniversary event continues to illustrate the power of that partnership and the importance of the defense sector to our economy,” said Molly Donohue Magee, CEO of SENEDIA. “When we collaborate for the good of our nation, we maintain and advance our strength at home and abroad.”

Threats to American Democracy

In his compelling keynote address on foreign challenges, Dr. Andrew Erickson of the Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute put a fine point on the issue.

“The stakes could scarcely be higher, the timeline could not be more urgent, and your work matters greatly,” he said to an audience of small business owners, representatives from large prime contractors, and his peers in academia and government.

Erickson focused primarily on China’s increasing aggression and the importance of protecting our commercial interests and shared commitment to democracy with Taiwan. Speakers touched upon other urgent threats, as well, including Russia and the War in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. … … …