Building Resilient Military Infrastructure

By Garrett Randall, Pallas Foundation Fellow

20 August 2026

The United States military depends on a stable, secure energy infrastructure to operate every domestic base, training facility, and command center. Yet the infrastructure delivering that power is aging, vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and increasingly threatened by natural disasters.

Aging Foundation

Much of the energy infrastructure supporting U.S. military installations was built decades ago and is either approaching or has already exceeded its lifespan. Roughly 70% of the nation's power lines are reaching their upper age limits, and more than 30% of military bases run on infrastructure that has outlived its expected life. Compounding the problem, installations are only a priority for local utility companies when it comes to upgrades, repairs, or emergencies. Civilian utility companies are regulated by state-level Public Utility Commissions, which prioritize repairs and upgrades based on population density, customer count, and revenue impact. A military base, despite its size, is legally treated merely as a single large commercial customer rather than a national security asset. As a result, bases remain dependent on the same civilian grid infrastructure as everyone else, in a system where state and local energy planning has not systematically accounted for defense energy needs

Widening Cyber Vulnerability

Aging equipment and outdated software leave networks that control and distribute power to military bases increasingly vulnerable to cyberattack. Many of these networks are broad and unsegmented, meaning that once an attacker gains a foothold, they can move laterally through the system and reach critical operational controls with little resistance. This risk is magnified by a systemic lack of cybersecurity investment among local governments and municipal utilities, which often lack the resources or expertise to defend against sophisticated actors.

The Department of Defense has publicly acknowledged that local energy infrastructure represents a significant vulnerability for U.S. military bases. Installations continue to strengthen their own physical and cyber defenses, but adversaries don’t need to breach the base perimeter to cause damage. Targeting the external power distribution system that feeds a base can be just as disruptive as targeting the base itself. In July 2026, a coordinated cyberattack disrupted operational technology at over 30 municipal water systems across Minnesota. Investigators believe the attack was likely carried out by Iranian-linked hackers. This incident demonstrates how exposed U.S. utility networks  are to cyber threats, which can yield devastating real-world consequences.

Resilience Through Microgrids and Alternative Power

In response to these challenges, a number of military installations are experimenting with microgrids that can operate independently of the broader civilian grid. Microgrids offer two key advantages: 1) they provide backup power during emergencies or attacks, and 2) they help reduce an installation's carbon footprint. Alongside this effort, investments in nuclear power, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, are helping reduce dependence on carbon-based energy and ease the strain on local electrical grids.

However, these technologies are not yet a complete solution. Low-emission energy sources alone cannot yet reliably meet a military installation’s power demands over long periods, so current microgrids still require diesel and natural gas generators to fill the gaps. Nuclear power also faces roadblocks tied to public perception, as lingering stigma has led some communities to protest reactors sited nearby. Overseas bases add another layer of complexity, since host countries may impose legal restrictions on nuclear materials or simply be unwilling to allow SMRs and microreactors within their borders. These efforts represent real progress toward more resilient energy infrastructure, but for now, bases still rely on conventional fuel sources to guarantee uninterrupted power.

The Path Forward

Modernizing the energy infrastructure that supports U.S. military bases won’t happen through incremental fixes alone. It requires two aligned actions: 1) targeted federal investment in the critical technologies needed to build more resilient, secure systems, and 2) strong, unambiguous government demand signals that give industry the confidence to invest and innovate at scale. Without both, the gap between the threats facing military energy infrastructure and the systems meant to defend against them will only continue to grow.

This piece draws on a presentation the Pallas Foundation Fellows gave in August 2026 examining the challenges of securing resilient energy infrastructure for U.S. military bases and potential paths forward. 

Garrett Randall was a Pallas Foundation Fellow in Spring and Summer 2026. He is a recent master’s graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies with a functional focus on technology and innovation and a regional focus on the Middle East. Garrett earned his undergraduate degree from Dickinson College, where he majored in International Studies and Arabic. He previously worked in George Washington University’s National Security Studies Program as a Program Assistant.

The Pallas Foundation for National Security Leadership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to empower the next generation of national security leaders through fellowships, scholarships, and events. To learn more, visit our website: https://www.pallasfoundation.org/