ARLINGTON, VA / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2026 / Defense News today announced the launch of the Defense News Index, a new editorial franchise recognizing the individuals driving consequential change across the global defense ecosystem.

The Defense News Index will provide a comprehensive view of how modern defense capability is shaped, from breakthrough innovation to operational deployment, strategic decision-making and industrial-scale execution.

Together, the Index highlights leaders who turn possibility into reality, set directions and scale impacts across the defense industry.

"Military advantages today are not built in one place or by one industry leader," said J.D. Simkins, Defense News editor-in-chief. "The Defense News Index reflects today's diverse industry contributions as well as the people responsible for the innovation that becomes military advantage."

The Defense News Index is organized into four complementary Who's Who lists, each evaluating leadership impact through a distinct lens:

Tech Disruptors recognize individuals expanding what is technologically possible in defense through innovation, disruption and scale.

Operational Transformers highlight leaders who turn innovation into deployed, mission-ready capability used by warfighters.

Strategic Architects showcase those shaping long-term defense strategy, force design, policy and modernization priorities.

Force Multipliers recognize leaders who scale, sustain and industrialize defense capability to deliver lasting operational advantage.

Together, these lists paint a picture of how defense capability is conceived, delivered and sustained in an era defined by competition, speed and scale.