The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 12, 2024

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a proposed shipbuilding challenges analysis, Fincantieri Marine facing a labor shortage, the "indispensable role" of satellites in modern warfare and more.

We start off with more coverage from this week's Surface Navy Association symposium:

SECNAV orders shipbuilding assessment, citing concern for Columbia and frigate programs

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has directed an analysis of shipbuilding challenges, according to a Thursday announcement that cites concern for the Columbia-class submarine and Constellation-class frigate programs.

Fincantieri several hundred workers short, has yet to begin construction of second frigate

The Constellation-class frigate program has a labor shortage of several hundred workers and is facing schedule challenges, with construction of the second vessel yet to begin, according to a program official.

Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who chairs the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, said this week that "recent conflicts" -- alluding to Ukraine's war with Russia -- have underscored the "indispensable role" of satellites in modern conflict:

Top Pentagon requirements boss: Space 'most essential' U.S. warfighting domain

Space has emerged as the U.S. military's "most essential" warfighting domain, integral to all other aspects of combat power, according to the Pentagon's top requirements officer.

In case you missed it, here's the latest on the ongoing controversy over Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization:

Republican senators request hearing into communication of Austin's hospitalization

GOP lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee called upon Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) to hold a hearing into the notification procedures surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization.

The Defense Department's new industrial base strategy, an early draft of which was first obtained by Inside Defense in December, will also have a classified implementation plan, though parts of that plan, like an executive summary or overview, are expected to be unclassified:

DOD's first National Defense Industrial Strategy targets next three to five years

The Pentagon released its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy today aiming to boost U.S. weapons manufacturing within the next three to five years. Some defense industry advocates, however, say the strategy must be followed up by more detailed investment plans.