HONOLULU – The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) is taking a proactive role in strengthening regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

The Center recently concluded its groundbreaking Multinational Armaments Resilience Seminar (MARS), a program designed to support efforts to build a more resilient and integrated defense industrial base across the Indo-Pacific. This initiative is a key component of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR), a 14-nation forum dedicated to enhancing defense collaboration.

The inaugural MARS program was a valuable addition to efforts to improve Indo-Pacific defense industrial base resilience. The program’s success has demonstrated a clear path forward for strengthening alliances and partnerships and working on shared challenges together.

A Dynamic and Immersive Experience

Forget stuffy conference rooms. The MARS program was anything but sedentary. Fellows, as the participants are called, embarked on an intensive, four-week journey across three continents, engaging in 21 site visits to key industry locations that complemented almost 40 other engagements with industry and government professionals. This energetic and fast-paced program was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the defense industrial base.

“The four weeks with MARS are one of a kind,” said Sander Oude Hengel, a Fellow in this inaugural program, “creating a unique network connecting the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions, building trust, and seeking important avenues for ramping up industrial resilience.”

The program’s unique structure, with two weeks in the United States (Washington, D.C., and Hawaii) and two weeks hosted by rotating Indo-Pacific partners—Australia and Japan in the 2025 iteration—provides Fellows with a truly global perspective.

The blend of classroom learning, industry engagement, and a capstone project created a dynamic and immersive learning environment.

Building Networks and Tackling Real-World Challenges

Creating a strong, interconnected network of defense professionals is at the heart of MARS. Fellows, who are mid- to senior-level government, military, and industry professionals, were organized into cohorts to foster deep relationships and promote inter-group cooperation.

The “get after it” attitude of the Fellows was palpable. They were proactive in their pursuit of knowledge, and the program’s demanding schedule left them tired but satisfied at the end of each day.

A key component of the seminar was a cohort project focused on addressing acute issues inhibiting multilateral defense industrial base cooperation. The initial findings from these projects were briefed to a multilateral group of senior defense officials, and the final papers will be provided to the National Armaments Directors of participating countries, ensuring that the work of the Fellows has a direct impact on policy and strategy.

A Lasting Impact

MARS is more than just a four-week seminar; it is the foundation for a regional network of defense industrial base professionals. Upon completion of the program, Fellows will join the strong DKI APCSS alumni network and introduce a new constituency into its ranks: “Martians” who will continue to identify and address barriers inhibiting defense industrial base cooperation.

The inaugural MARS program has set a new standard for collaborative action to address defense industrial challenges. By fostering collaboration, building trust, and empowering a new generation of leaders, MARS is helping to build a more integrated and resilient defense industrial base, contributing to a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.