Departure of Mattis equals modernization for the defense industry

quote:

---

The senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, DC has said the departure of Secretary of Defense James Mattis may mean modernization for the weapons industry.

---

quote:

---

With his exit from the role on February 28, Mark Cancian has guessed new leadership may utilize the fiscal year 2020's $750 billion budget to fund new weapons programs, opting to terminate legacy systems rather than continue to fund upgrades, as is planned to be done with 2019 dollars. Cancian, who worked on budget strategy, war funding, force development and procurement programs at the Office of Management and Budget and in the Pentagon, shared his perspective in an op-ed for Forbes, published on Friday.

---

quote:

---

Cancian also talked about the Space Force and how its future is likely secure, no matter who takes Mattis' position, even though the Air Force is against its creation. 'Since the president has directed its establishment, DOD has little choice but to comply whoever the secretary is. The fate of the Space Force will be decided in the Congress, not in the Pentagon,' he wrote.

---

quote:

---

Whether that promised funding will hold up in a soon-to-be Democratic controlled House of Representatives though, is another story, Cancian wrote. And what will be done with the money is the topic up for debate now, with Mattis' forthcoming departure.

---