The request of the President of USA Joe Biden for the record package of $ 813 billion for defense expenditure, including his draft budget for 2023sets a new record in peacetime, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine increased the demands for reinforcement of the country’s armed forces.
$ 773 billion is earmarked for Pentagon – exceeding the amount requested by Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump — Furthermore 40 billion related to defense-related programs at the FBI, the Ministry of Energy and other public bodies.
THE Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused consensus between Democrats and Republicans that it is necessary to increase defense spending, as in his person Vladimir Putin see a “growing threat” to both national security and foreign policy issues.
Funds for the Pentagon’s European Prevention Initiative are increasing by $ 360 million in about 4.2 billion.
At the same time, the Ministry of Defense’s program for acquisition of F-35 fightersafter the Air Force leadership had complained of significant delays in technical improvements.
Among the top priorities is construction of new warshipsthe development of space capabilities and missile warning systems, as well as the modernization of the so-called nuclear “trinity” (ballistic missile submarines, strategic bombers and land-based missile systems).
Just 61 F-35 fighters made by Lockheed Martin were requested by Pentagoncompared to 85 last year, although experts estimate that Congress will eventually increase this number.
The draft budget includes the largest amount given to the Pentagon for research and development, with 130 billion for the development of new weapons systems (such as supersonic missiles) in the event of war with China and Russia. Part of this investment is financed by the withdrawal of older ones, such as Littoral warships and A-10 aircraft that were vulnerable to technologically advanced adversaries.
Trump’s request for defense spending in the draft budget submitted in the last year of his term in the White House amounted to $ 752.9 billion. Congress increased that amount by $ 25 billion, bringing it to $ 778 billion for fiscal year 2022.
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