White House unveils new science and technology strategy for national security

The White House has released a new National Security Science and Technology Strategy (NSSTS) designed to reinforce American technological leadership, military strength, and homeland resilience. The plan, issued by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomy, space, undersea systems, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and nuclear energy.

The strategy is built around four core priorities: focusing techno-strategic competition, building technological resilience, accelerating innovation, and protecting national security science and technology from foreign exploitation. It aims to align federally funded research and development with the objectives of the 2025 National Security Strategy.

Washington will prioritise technological advantages in domains critical to battlefield dominance and power projection, including undersea and space operations, as well as AI and autonomous systems. The document also identifies advanced manufacturing, communications, directed energy, future computing, hypersonics, cybersecurity, nuclear energy, and microelectronics as key enabling areas.

A significant emphasis is placed on reducing vulnerabilities in critical technology supply chains and preventing foreign adversaries from exploiting US intellectual property and sensitive data. The strategy calls for faster innovation by cutting unnecessary administrative and regulatory hurdles, expanding public-private partnerships, and reforming defence acquisition processes.

It also seeks to strengthen research security, modernise foreign investment screening, and streamline export controls while maintaining an open investment environment. Greater collaboration with allies and partners is highlighted, particularly in AI, nuclear energy, quantum technologies, space, and critical minerals.

Workforce development is another pillar, with plans to expand STEM education, skilled-trades programmes, apprenticeships, and fellowships in critical technology fields. The strategy stresses that sustained coordination between federal agencies and Congress will be essential for implementation.