Multinational Armaments Resilience Seminar 2026 

The Multinational Armaments Resilience Seminar, or MARS, is an annual program designed to strengthen the resilience and integration of multinational defense industrial bases. Conducted over four non-consecutive week-long modules, MARS brings together government, military and industry professionals from across the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions to enhance deterrence, foster economic growth and equip participants to address real-world challenges in building and sustaining defense industrial bases.

Hosted across three partner countries, each seminar begins with a module in a national capital before moving to an industry hub. During the week, Fellows take part in panel discussions with senior government and industry officials, visit manufacturing facilities, and participate in cohort activities where small working groups develop actionable recommendations on issues such as export policies, access to capital, supply chain security, workforce development and disruptive innovation.

Module 1 of the Multinational Armaments Resilience Seminar, or MARS, opened in the United States, convening more than 30 government, military and industry leaders from the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. The week’s agenda centered on forging partnerships, sharing practical insights and developing collaborative approaches to defense industrial base challenges. Participants engaged in panel discussions, site visits and cohort activities to examine strategies for strengthening industrial resilience and enhancing deterrence.

Addressing defense industrial base challenges requires immediate action and international cooperation. On the first day of MARS, keynote speaker Hon. Michael Cadenazzi, assistant secretary of war for industrial base policy, emphasized the importance of partnership and shared experience. He engaged leaders from across the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions with real-world perspectives.

Throughout the week, MARS fellows confronted defense industrial base issues and worked together to develop solutions. Participants interacted with U.S. defense leaders, visited organic industrial base facilities, toured leading defense manufacturers and met with innovative companies in Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The discussions underscored the need to strengthen industrial resilience, accelerate innovation and expand allied participation to increase capacity. These efforts are considered critical to deterrence and regional security.

No nation can address these challenges alone. MARS fosters the partnerships, networks and shared understanding necessary to strengthen deterrence and tackle the Indo-Pacific’s most pressing defense industrial base issues.

This article is part one of a four-part series.
Next: Module 2 – Australia.

Through MARS, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is forging the partnerships needed to strengthen industrial resilience, enhance deterrence, and tackle the toughest DIB challenges—together