Military procurement helps manage conflict before and during war, as well as supplying forces for combat. Conflict management here covers deterrence, minimization, and pacification or termination. Deterrence may rely on conspicuous force or diplomatic signaling, while minimization can isolate an opponent by building relationships that deny it allies and prevent a wider war. If those measures fail, the force still needs the means to stop the conflict on acceptable terms. A minimal inventory may be insufficient because preventing escalation can require an overwhelming capability the country can credibly deploy. Depending on geography and national strengths, that might be a carrier battle group, a strike-bomber force, an armored division, or a combination of them.
Notable Point · 33:03-35:46
Buying forces to manage conflict before war
Procurement supports deterrence, diplomatic isolation, and conflict termination as well as combat, so the right form of overwhelming force depends on what a country can deploy credibly.