The US Secretary of Defense responds that the Pentagon is changing its procurement habits.

There are reports that the Pentagon is expanding its supplier base, no longer limited to traditional "prime contractors," but seeking cheaper weapons, more competitive bidding, and greater investment in research and development. As a result, a new generation of defense startups is emerging. According to several private defense company executives, the Pentagon has comprehensively reformed its procurement process to streamline bureaucratic institutions, speed up product procurement, and no longer limit its suppliers to so-called "prime contractors" like Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman. In addition, the Pentagon also prioritizes research and development investment, openly criticizing traditional defense prime contractors for using funds for dividends and stock buybacks. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin responded to the report, saying, "If you can build quickly and deliver quickly - the Department of Defense is ready to do business with you."