U.S. Defence Procurement Reform Signals a Shift Toward Commercial Agility and Dual-Use Integration

A draft memo circulating within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has outlined one of the most consequential procurement overhauls in recent decades. The document, first reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine and Breaking Defense, proposes an accelerated acquisition framework built around a “commercial-first” approach, expanded use of Other Transactions (OTs) and Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), and tighter deployment timelines for new capabilities. The initiative responds to what the memo calls “unacceptably slow acquisition fielding timelines,” a systemic problem that has hindered the Pentagon’s ability to integrate emerging technologies and respond to rapidly evolving operational requirements.