The INSIDER daily digest -- June 14, 2023

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Marine Corps logistics, the Defense Department's fielding of emerging technologies and more.

We start off with Marine Corps news from both the current commandant as well as the one nominated to take his place:

Berger warns of risks to the industrial base

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger warned this week that in this modern era of global warfighting environment, logistics are at a greater risk of attack from cyber breaches and other types of strikes against the industrial supply chain.

Smith to continue force design 2030 evolution if confirmed as commandant

Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, who has been nominated to take the reins as the Marine Corps' next top officer, told lawmakers that if confirmed, he will continue the service's Force Design 2030 transformation effort.

. . . plus more coverage of the House defense policy bill:

House authorizers recommend expanding, streamlining DOD emerging tech strategy

The Defense Department should create an outside advisory committee focused on venture capital and simplify the fielding of emerging technologies, according to the House Armed Services Committee.

MDA directed to prepare formal report on extending NGI competition beyond 2025

Lawmakers want a formal exploration of extending the Next Generation Interceptor competition, delaying any source selection from 2025 until Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman fly prototypes -- a move that could add at least two years to the contest and set the stage for tandem production of a much larger NGI acquisition than the program of record.

Funding for Abrams upgrade included in House chairman's mark of defense bill

Program increases for several of the Army's legacy ground vehicle fleets such as Bradley, Stryker and Abrams are included in the chairman's mark of the fiscal year 2024 defense authorization bill, released by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) Monday.

House defense policy bill includes creation of Pentagon IP strategy, DIU realignment

The House Armed Services Committee today kicks off a series of fiscal year 2024 defense authorization bill mark-ups, with the cyber subcommittee set to consider tech-focused measures including directing the Defense Department to develop an intellectual property strategy, moving the Defense Innovation Unit and studies on cyber initiatives.

Additionally, lawmakers want the Pentagon to keep certain amphibious ships the Navy says it doesn't need anymore:

Senators request updated shipbuilding plan meeting amphib requirement

A bipartisan group of senators is calling on the Navy to update its shipbuilding plan to maintain an amphibious warship fleet of at least 31 vessels, as required by law.

Document: Senators' letter on updated shipbuilding plan

Last but by no means least, the Pentagon wants to speed up its foreign military sales process:

Austin moves to speed foreign military sales following 'Tiger Team' recommendations

A special Pentagon "Tiger Team" has delivered recommendations to accelerate foreign military sales, leading Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to release department-wide guidance to support a faster and more streamlined process that will, among other things, allow for greater prioritization of weapons sales to key U.S. allies like Taiwan.