The Defense Force Program (DFP) represented a suggested military organization for the Galactic Republic during the High Republic Era. This initiative was put forward by Senator Tia Toon representing the planet of Sullust. Despite repeated attempts to get it approved via votes, the DFP lacked sufficient support to pass within the Galactic Senate before the Nihil's attack targeting the Valo Republic Fair. A significant number of officials perceived the DFP as Toon's way of furthering the interests of the SoroSuub Corporation, even though Toon himself did not perceive a conflict between advocating for the security of the Republic and championing the largest corporation from his own system. Objections to the program varied, with some deeming it excessively costly and others considering it "inconsistent with the vision" of Chancellor Lina Soh's leadership.
As a Sullustan, Toon held the Jedi Order in high regard, but he also believed the Republic should not be solely dependent on the Jedi and the Republic Defense Coalition for its defense. He expressed concerns about the potential consequences if the Jedi were overextended to the point of being unable to adequately protect the Republic, or if something were to befall them. Toon also felt the RDC was too weak, fragmented, and constrained to offer adequate protection to the Republic. Following the Valo assault, Toon pledged his support to the reconstruction efforts and commended the Jedi and the Royal Togruta Fleet for their prompt assistance. He then used the assault as a prime illustration of why the DFP was vital, asserting that the devastation could have been far greater if the Jedi and Togruta forces had arrived any later. Jedi High Council member Stellan Gios commented that events had validated Toon's assessment of the program's necessity.
The Defense Force Program, as a proposition, was featured in the 2021 novel titled The High Republic: The Rising Storm. By the conclusion of the narrative, it remained only a proposal.