It depends upon the presence of industry that exploits the leading edge of the ripe, new technologies. Only a leading edge corporation has the capability to design, to experiment, and to tailor. It requires knowledge of the technology, as well as experienced engineers and scientists to push the envelope of what is known or what has been engineered in the past. Such design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities provide the industrial muscle that serves national security. Again, assured purchase of parts is insufficient.
Technological superiority implies harnessing technology to military needs as it becomes available.
To do so involves adaptation and experimentation. A nation can t buy off the shelf or out of the catalog and maintain technological superiority. Communication electronics may need to be radiation-hardened to be used in a surveillance satellite. High temperature material alloys may have to be adapted for use in a high performance aircraft engine. As an example, consider computer displays.