Even though both the efforts are not co-ordinated and neither government has hinted at a new war but both the countries are planning for disruptions that could leave homes and military installations without the services they depend on.
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What is Pentagon's 90-day plan for World War III?
The Pentagon is preparing US military bases to keep operating for at least 90 days without outside support. This is being done as it prepares for the possibility of a major war that could cripple power grids, disrupt supply chains and threaten critical infrastructure on American soil. The requirement falls under an initiative called FORTRESS, short for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability. "We don't want to rely on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to run our national defense. We just simply can't. It's an intolerable risk," Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital."Power is combat now. Without electricity, you lose communications, water, logistics, assembly lines and just basic military command structures," Parnell, who led the FORTRESS initiative, said.
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What is the FORTRESS initiative?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled FORTRESS in his September 30 “State of the Force” address. He pledged that every major military installation would generate its own power independently of the civilian grid. A follow-up memo outlined plans for a dedicated program office. The new 90-day standard expands that goal, requiring bases to become self-sufficient not just in electricity but also in water, fuel and communications.The Pentagon is preparing US military bases to keep operating for at least 90 days without outside support
The plan includes portable nuclear reactors, large-scale battery storage and microgrids that can disconnect military bases from civilian power networks. The US Army has already taken steps in this direction. In August, it announced up to $2.2 billion in awards to develop nuclear microreactors at five bases, including Fort Bragg and Fort Hood.
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Why is the Pentagon stockpiling weapons and essential supplies?
The FORTRESS initiative also calls for strategic reserves of munitions, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts and medical supplies. Fox News describes the plan as a "doomsday" plan, as it envisions portable nuclear reactors, large-scale battery storage and microgrids that would allow bases to disconnect from civilian power grids during prolonged disruptions.The plan also warns that a major war could disrupt global supply chains that provide weapons, equipment and key materials to the military.
“The next conflict will likely be fought on multiple fronts. Look at the geopolitics behind any major war. When that happens, global supply chains will break,” Parnell said.
These reserves could help sustain military operations if international supply routes are disrupted or US factories cannot produce enough supplies during a war. The plan also calls for at least two approved suppliers or production options for the military’s most critical needs. This would help prevent shortages if a factory or supplier could no longer deliver essential materials.
How will US factories prepare for wartime production?
According to Fox News, another key part of the plan involves preparing US civilian factories for wartime production. Through the Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network, now part of FORTRESS, the Pentagon plans to identify commercial facilities that could switch to defense manufacturing during a crisis.The Pentagon also plans to assess manufacturers’ capabilities and establish technical specifications, cybersecurity safeguards, contract terms and conversion procedures in advance. This would allow factories to shift production more quickly rather than wait until a war begins. FORTRESS also calls for regular stress tests and drills to determine whether factories can maintain production during prolonged disruptions.
The plan further aims to protect military communications, navigation and satellite systems from interference. This includes preparing for scenarios in which GPS signals are jammed or space-based systems are disrupted.
Britain's 'Be Ready' campaign
Details of the Pentagon plan emerged days after the British government launched its 'Be Ready campaign' on Oct. 22. The government has asked people to stock three litres of drinking water per person per day along with food items that needs no cooking or refrigeration, flashlights, power banks, first-aid supplies, a battery-powered or windup radio, and food and water for pets. Households are also encouraged to keep cash in case card payments and ATMs go down.Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that adversaries could have the force strength and war economy to attack by 2030. That leaves Britain and its NATO allies a little over 1,000 days to prepare, he wrote.