Defense Investment Forum

Focuses on moving Indo-Pacific strategy into implementation through operational readiness, deterrence, forward force posture, alliances and partnerships, defense industrial capacity, and regional economic resilience. Themes include delivering combat power forward through speed, scale, and sustainment; coalition integration and networked deterrence; mobilizing industrial capacity; decision advantage through AI, data, and the information domain; and securing supply chains and strategic resources. Discussion topics include distributed logistics and sustainment, forward maintenance and repair, space-enabled sensing and missile defense, information-sharing and interoperability, integration of Pacific Island nations, production and repair acceleration, acquisition and contracting authorities, allied industrial capacity, private investment, operational uses of AI and data, and manufacturing and energy investments that reduce strategic vulnerabilities. The forum emphasizes operational examples, identifying barriers to execution, connecting industry and venture capital with government needs, and developing actionable recommendations for policymakers, planners, and industry.

The program aligns U.S. military priorities, executive-order implementation, congressional funding, acquisition pathways, industrial-base capacity, and operational requirements for uncrewed systems. Sessions address defense acquisition reform; FY27 funding and investment signals; the Drone Dominance Program; domestic manufacturing capacity and supply-chain resilience; small-business pathways into defense markets; and export markets, financing, and export controls. Other themes include Army and Air Force autonomy fielding, congressional oversight, lessons from Ukraine, maritime security, undersea infrastructure, and scaling uncrewed surface and undersea systems. The program identifies Executive Orders 14265, 14268, 14307, 14372, and 14415 among the policy frameworks discussed. Featured speakers include Admiral Thomas Allan, Jr., Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; William Kimmitt, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; and Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering and Department of War Chief Technology Officer. Registration is restricted to U.S. citizens and citizens of allied or partner nations; the event is closed to media.

The conference brings together offshore energy, maritime, defense, and technology industries around shared infrastructure, capabilities, and supply chains. Its preliminary program will examine offshore energy and autonomous systems, ports and vessels, subsea infrastructure, and maritime security, alongside market developments and opportunities for established companies to apply their expertise across emerging ocean technology markets. Related sectors include offshore wind, shipbuilding, manufacturing, engineering, marine robotics, grid innovation, and advanced manufacturing. The agenda is in development, with additional sessions and speakers to be announced.

A Secret/NOFORN forum for aerospace and defense leaders addressing strategic, programmatic, and technical challenges, as well as policy issues affecting the aerospace and national security communities. The forum requires attendees to hold final U.S. SECRET or higher clearance.

The conference focuses on translating congressional mandates in the National Defense Authorization Act into industry responses and aligning industry capacity and capability with Navy construction plans, status, and priorities. Its agenda covers U.S. naval and maritime policy; Navy priorities for SDF investments in the MIB/SIB; the state of the public shipyards; the Ford Class Aircraft Carrier Program; shipyard procurement needs; and AUKUS. A lunch presentation is titled “Global Risk Assessment.”

The forum focuses on the Army Aviation Roadmap and the industrial base, sustainment, and acquisition. Its program includes discussion of Army transformation and the organic industrial base, with opportunities for briefings involving project managers, Army aviation transformation and future-capability leaders, original equipment manufacturers, and other industry leaders. Professional sessions address the industrial base, the Army Aviation Roadmap, sustainment and the organic industrial base, acquisition, integration of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air portfolio, force modernization, the operating environment, the Pentagon landscape, and future warfighting concepts. Exhibit-hall open-mic panels cover cargo; attack and reconnaissance; utility aircraft; uncrewed aircraft systems; next-generation command and control; AMCOM sustainment; counter-drone systems; aviation mission systems and architecture; tactical aviation and ground munitions; and MV-75 Cheyenne opportunities.

Forum for networking and learning in the undersea warfare community, focused on requirements and developments in undersea warfare, including countering submarine and mine threats and power projection from the sea. The event is classified at the SECRET level.

The conference theme is “Generating Combat Power Across Multiple Global Maritime Fronts.” Topics include evolving threats facing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; maritime operations; platforms, technologies, and advanced capabilities; and enhancing operational capabilities. The event brings together military and government leaders, industry professionals, and experts from academia for discussions, keynotes, panels, and special presentations. The 2027 agenda and speaker lineup were not available on the event pages reviewed.

The technical program covers MILSPEC requirements, surface-preparation tools, and new technologies involving drones, robotics, and AI. Expert panels address workforce development, safety, and government; contractor stories highlight successes and lessons learned from premature coating failures. Roundtables bring together military, government, and association leadership. Forum topics also include coating standards, application practices, marine coatings, antifouling coatings, marine epoxy systems, corrosion mitigation, and workforce development. The program includes general-session panels and presentations, alongside Contractor Club private meetings and an invitation-only off-site activity. Participation is open to government and regulatory agencies, asset owners and shipyards, painting contractors, consultants and engineering professionals, inspectors, and academia, R&D, and association representatives.