An F / A-18 Hornet aircraft sits on the airline line while a wall of fire behind it explodes during an air show at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., On October 3, 2010.
Lance Cpl. Jamean Berry | US Marine Corps
WASHINGTON – The Department of Defense is asking Congress for $ 715 billion in its fiscal 2022 budget, an increase of about $ 10 billion over what was allocated to the Pentagon in fiscal 2021.
The White House on Friday released the general details of President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning October 1, which targets a whopping $ 753 billion for national defense.
The Pentagon’s $ 715 billion share of the budget will fund weapons programs and key national security priorities, while an additional $ 38 billion will be used for defense programs at the Department of Energy and other federal agencies, bringing the total to defense spending totaling $ 753 billion. Dollar.
The nearly 2% increase in defense spending is due to the Biden administration pulling the nation out of the U.S. military’s longest war and shifting focus away from the Middle East to address the emerging threats from China.
“The division in this budget has a clear view of Beijing and provides the investment to prioritize China as our pace challenge,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told reporters on Friday. “The PRC has become increasingly competitive in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. It has the economic, military and technological capabilities to challenge the international system and American interests within it,” she added.
The Pentagon is calling for $ 5.1 billion for its Pacific deterrent initiative to counter threats emanating from China.
“At the same time, we have to deal with advanced and persistent threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea and other non-state and transnational factors,” said Hicks.
The Pentagon’s proposed budget includes more than $ 500 million for Covid-19 and pandemic preparation. largest investment in research, development and technology to date, at $ 112 billion; and $ 617 million to combat, prepare and adapt to climate change.
The budget also includes a 2.7% pay increase for troops and civil defense personnel.
Here is a breakdown of some of the major weapons programs the Pentagon is looking to add to its arsenal.
plane
A Naval Airman with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 flies an F-35 over North Carolina during air refueling training April 14, 2015.
Cpl. Unique Roberts | US Marine Corps
The Pentagon is asking for $ 52.4 billion to invest in the military’s air domain. The Department of Defense plans to use $ 12 billion to purchase 85 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The F-35 is Lockheed Martin’s largest program and the most expensive weapon system in the world.
Other important investments:
- 14 Boeing KC-46 tankers: $ 2.5 billion
- 9 Lockheed Martin CH-53K King Stallion helicopters: $ 1.7 billion
- 12 Boeing F-15EX fighter jets: $ 1.5 billion
- 30 Apache Boeing AH-64E attack helicopters: $ 825 million
Ships
The aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman will cross the Arabian Sea on January 31, 2020.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Swofford | US Navy
The Pentagon wants $ 34.6 billion to grow and modernize the Navy’s combat fleet. The Department of Defense is also calling for an unmanned surface vehicle to diversify the Navy’s capabilities.
Other important investments:
- 1 General Dynamics Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine: $ 5 billion
- 2 General Dynamics Virginia-class rapid attack submarines: $ 6.9 billion
- 1 General Dynamics Arleigh Burke-class destroyer: $ 2.4 billion
- 1 frigate FFG (X) frigate: $ 1.3 billion
- 1 Huntington Ingalls Ford-class aircraft carrier: $ 2.9 billion
- Unmanned surface craft: $ 203 million
vehicles
U.S. Marines with the 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force position their amphibious assault vehicles on the beach during an amphibious raid drill with Royal Thai Marines on June 10, 2013 in Hat Yao, Thailand.
Cpl. John Lamb | US Marine Corps
The Pentagon calls for $ 12.3 billion for ground combat systems. The request includes upgrades and modifications for 70 rugged M1 Abrams tanks for $ 1 billion.
Other important investments:
- 3,799 common light tactical vehicles for a variety of missions: $ 1.1 billion
- 92 amphibious combat vehicles for use throughout the U.S. Marine Corps: $ 613 million
Cybersecurity and IT
The Pentagon is demanding $ 10.4 billion for its cyber efforts, including protecting the Department of Defense’s networks.
In the past year, software from IT company SolarWinds was breached, allowing hackers to access communications and data in several government agencies.
In April, Washington officially made the Russian foreign intelligence service responsible for carrying out the SolarWinds cyberattack. Microsoft President Brad Smith described the incident as “the largest and most sophisticated attack the world has ever seen”. Microsoft’s systems were also infected with malicious software.
The Russian government denies all allegations behind the SolarWinds hack.
Earlier this month, the Colonial Pipeline was the victim of a widespread cyberattack that forced the company to shut down approximately 5,500 miles of pipeline, cutting off half fuel supplies on the east coast and gasoline shortages in the southeast.
On Thursday, Microsoft warned in a blog post that the Russian hackers believed to be behind the catastrophic SolarWinds attack had launched another attack.
The hacking group known as Nobelium has targeted more than 150 organizations worldwide in the past week, including government agencies, think tanks and non-governmental organizations. The cyber attack is the latest example of criminal groups or state actors exploiting US cyber vulnerabilities.
“With solar winds and other episodes of hacking into US data networks, it makes sense to invest more in cybersecurity, but the Pentagon will not necessarily be the main player in addressing broader cyber challenges for infrastructure, power, communications, and banking systems.” said William Hartung, director of the weapons and security program at the Center for International Politics.
“Partnership with the private sector and federal rules on the path to cybersecurity could also or more importantly be to prevent cyber risks,” he added.
Missile defense
A U.S. Air Force Minuteman III unarmed ICBM launches during an operational test May 3, 2017 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Aviator 1st class Daniel Brosam | US Air Force
The Pentagon wants $ 20.4 billion for the further development of its multi-layer missile defense system.
“The company finally seems to be moving towards a new vision of missile defense, manifested in new efforts in space sensors, hypersonic and cruise missile defense, and other next-generation technologies,” said Thomas Karako, director of the missile defense project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, when asked about the budget for missile defense.
“Hypersonic defense will be a challenging, complex form of air defense, but it is possible and that is where the threat has arrived,” added Karako.
Other important investments:
- Sea Interceptors (SM-3 IIA and SM-3 IB): $ 647 million
- Sea-based Ballistic Missile Defense System, or AEGIS BMD: $ 1 billion
- Ground-Based Middle Way and Enhanced Next Generation Homeland Security / Interceptor (NGI): $ 1.7 billion
- Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD System: $ 562 million
- Patriot Advanced Capability Missile Segment Improvement: $ 777 million
place
The 45th Space Wing successfully launches a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for the U.S. Navy that lifted from Space Launch Complex-41 on July 9, 2013 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Pat Corkery | via the US Air Force
The Pentagon is calling for $ 20.6 billion to invest in the emerging security environment in space. The Department of Defense plans to spend 1.7 billion US dollars on five launchers and the Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP).
Other important investments:
- Global Positioning System (GPS) Company: $ 1.8 billion
- Space-based Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) systems: $ 2.6 billion
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