TOPICS
TOPICS
Gates: Defense needs another $70 billion in 2009
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has alerted lawmakers that he believes the U.S. military will need an additional $69.7 billion to continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan this fiscal year.
In a three-page letter dated Dec. 31, Gates told House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., that the dollar figure is his "personal assessment and does not reflect the position of the Bush administration or the incoming Obama administration."
Combined with $65.9 billion in fiscal 2009 war funding already approved by Congress, Gates' estimate, accompanied by a detailed list showing how the added funds would be spent, would bring the Defense Department's share of war spending this year to $135.6 billion -- significantly less than the roughly $170 billion appropriated for war costs bills last year.
But Gates' estimate does not reflect expected increases in U.S. force levels in Afghanistan because the proposal for a larger troop presence is under review.
The secretary's letter identified the need for $31.7 billion in operational costs that include incremental pay and benefits for 320,000 military personnel, predeployment training, transportation, aircraft flying hours and vehicle ground miles.
Gates estimated the military will need $10.8 billion for force protection equipment, such as body and vehicle armor and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Another $1.5 billion will be needed to defeat improvised explosive devices, according to the list Gates included with his letter.
Gates wrote that the military needs $7.5 billion to repair and replace vehicles lost or damaged in combat, and to replenish ammunition and other supplies. That figure includes funding for AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopter modifications, as well as money for tactical vehicles, trailers and tractors.
In addition, Gates' assessment included $600 million for four F-22 Raptor fighter planes to replace one F-15 Eagle and three F-16 Falcons.
The estimate includes $3.6 billion for military intelligence programs, $2 billion to accelerate efforts to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps, $1.7 billion for support clinics, treatments and other programs for wounded veterans and families, and $3 billion for non-Defense Department classified programs.
Gates outlined $2.3 billion needed to accelerate the growth of the Afghan National Army and to man, train and equip the Afghan National Police. Separately, Gates outlined another $1.3 billion to train and equip the Afghan National Army.
In his letter, Gates emphasized that he will work with the Obama administration, which will "conduct a fresh review of these matters and provide an updated and more authoritative proposal early next year."
COMMENTS
- I am going to buy as much Force Protection stock symbol FRPT because they are going to receive a large order in 2009 for MRAPS.. John Nomad Posted February 5, 2009 9:53 AM
- Maybe there is common ground between Avis and GW? What if, as a temporary measure, government contracts did not permit profit? Take the PLUS out of cost-plus? The job of protecting the Nation could proceed. The existence of companies would be more assured (as it stands, a lot of firms, even in the military-industrial complex will go under once the war time budgets get curtailed). Last, but not least, the eventual costs to the taxpayers would be reduced. Once the depression is over, we can go back to business as usual. Meanwhile, why not have all the horses pulling in the same direction? Just a thought... M Onger Posted January 8, 2009 1:08 PM
- I some what agree with Aivs let us abolish all programs not specifically identified in the constitution like every over bloated federal agency in Washington DC. It seems that the federal gevernment is great at identifying problems and creating a bueracracy to make problems bigger and grow just like thier departments. billiam Posted January 7, 2009 7:35 PM
