Who knows when and where the next big technological breakthrough will occur. either the Pentagon or the tech industry

Consider how many advancements that were made possible by the United States military that we take for granted today: the internet, air travel, global positioning systems (GPS), and, of course, the humble duct tape. The fact that such things were born out of a desire to develop new and better ways to slaughter large numbers of people is easy to forget, just as it is with the tender, juicy ribeye on our plate.

While companies such as Google, Apple, and Elon Musk will all play a role in the development of the “internet of things” and “really smart machines,” the Pentagon — and perhaps the People’s Liberation Army — will be in charge of the majority of research and development in order to meet customer demand in the near future. There will be a need for support for this endeavor from Congress, which is in charge of the Pentagon’s $740 billion budget. What are the finest investments to make with your money?

Author Christian Brose, who is the author of “The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare,” and who is intimately familiar with the defense budget, assisted me in answering that question. Brose worked for the Senate Armed Services Committee for more than a decade, first as staff director and then as principal legal to Chairman John McCain. In his current position, he is the chief strategy officer of Anduril, a defense technology start-up. The following is a transcript of our talk with just minor changes.

Christian Brose (Christian Brose)

The intention of the Australians to terminate their present contract for French submarines, regardless of where they went next, was the primary motivating force behind the decision. In turn, this raises the question, “What new capability will be made available?”

The concept of collaborating in a trilateral manner is completely logical. They require nuclear-powered ships in Australia because they wish to travel large distances and remain operational for a lengthy period of time. Collaboration in cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems is another strategic motivation for joining forces. It is critical for the three allies to achieve this level of cooperation if they are to compete effectively in the vast Indo-Pacific area and against a formidable opponent such as China.