"Silicon Valley-US military collaboration crucial in countering China, says Pentagon official"

The Pentagon's Deputy Defense Secretary, Kathleen Hicks, visited Silicon Valley to explore ways to leverage the region's innovation in order to compete with China. However, the military's bureaucratic processes and two-year appropriations cycle pose challenges for start-ups. Hicks aims to address these issues through the "Replicator" initiative, which aims to spur mass production of low-cost drones. The cultural gap between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley, as well as the need for stronger contracts and alignment with American values, further complicate military-tech collaborations.