WASHINGTON, D.C. Nov 7, 2025 – In a bold move signaling the Trump administration’s aggressive push to streamline military procurement, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared the end of the traditional Defense Acquisition System on Friday, replacing it with a revamped “Warfighting Acquisition System” designed to slash bureaucracy and accelerate innovation.
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing flanked by American and departmental flags, Hegseth emphasized that the changes are a direct response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders, aimed at modernizing the process for “speed, flexibility, and efficiency.” The overhaul, he said, will revitalize the U.S. defense industrial base by leveraging commercial innovation, incentivizing risk-taking among acquisition professionals, and cutting excessive red tape.
“At my direction, the Department of War will immediately begin implementing a comprehensive overhaul of our acquisition system,” Hegseth stated in the address, his voice firm against the backdrop of the iconic wooden podium bearing the department’s seal. “President Trump did not send us here to nibble at the edges. He sent us here to fix it, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.”
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the U.S. military’s procurement delays, which have long been criticized for inflating costs and hindering rapid deployment of cutting-edge technologies. Under the previous administration, major programs like the F-35 fighter jet program ballooned to over $1.7 trillion, with delivery timelines stretching decades due to regulatory hurdles and contractor dependencies.
Hegseth, a Fox News veteran and Army National Guard veteran who was confirmed earlier this year, framed the reform as essential for maintaining America’s edge in an era of heightened global threats from adversaries like China and Russia. “The Defense Acquisition System as you know it is dead,” he declared. “It’s now the Warfighting Acquisition System – focused on delivering what our warriors need, when they need it.”
Key elements of the overhaul, as outlined in the secretary’s remarks, include:
– Streamlined Approvals : Reducing layers of oversight to expedite contracts for emerging technologies, such as AI-driven drones and hypersonic weapons.
– Commercial Integration : Partnering more deeply with private sector innovators to bypass outdated federal procurement rules.
– Workforce Incentives : Bonuses and protections for acquisition officers who prioritize speed over compliance checklists.
– Industrial Base Revival.: Targeted investments to onshore critical supply chains, echoing recent successes in rare-earth magnet production.
The move has sparked immediate reactions on social media and among defense insiders. Supporters hailed it as a long-overdue shake-up, with one veteran tweeting, “Finally, pay the troops first, then go nuts.” Critics, however, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, pointing to the revolving door between Pentagon officials and defense contractors. “Be sure to address officers approving systems and then cashing in at the firms they greenlit,” one analyst posted.
The Department of War – rebranded from the Department of Defense in a symbolic nod to Trump’s “peace through strength” doctrine – has positioned this reform as the first in a series of efficiency drives. Implementation teams are expected to roll out initial changes within 90 days, with full audits of existing contracts underway.
As the administration marks its first year, this announcement underscores Trump’s mandate to “fix” federal institutions. Whether it delivers on promises of faster, cheaper defense capabilities remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a clarion call: no more nibbling – full overhaul ahead.
