US Persident Biden's 1% Increase in Defense Budget Sparks Concerns Over Military Readiness

Defense News ,U.S :-  President Joe Biden recently released the U.S. defense and national security budget for the upcoming year. The budget is just 1% higher than last year's, causing a slowdown in spending on various programs. This includes efforts to replenish weapons stocks depleted by conflicts in Ukraine and Israel.

The total budget is $895 billion, covering homeland security and nuclear weapons-related activities by the Department of Energy. This figure is a result of a two-year budget deal limiting the increase to 1%, agreed upon in mid-2023.

Despite being an increase, the budget does not adequately cover inflation. The Pentagon's share of the national defense budget is $850 billion under this cap. Consequently, spending cuts will affect the purchase of Lockheed Martin's F-35 jet and air defenses for Guam. Additionally, programs such as the construction of an aircraft carrier and submarines will be delayed.

The budget proposes a 4.5% pay raise for troops but offsets costs by retiring older, more expensive-to-operate ships and planes. Ten Navy ships, including two Littoral Combat Ships, will be retired early.

While the budget asks for a 1% increase, the Pentagon initially estimated needing $880 billion in 2025. The smaller-than-expected increase limits available funds.

Debates in Congress may lead to an increase in the national defense budget beyond $900 billion for fiscal 2025, according to budget watchers.

The 2025 budget prioritizes purchasing the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) from Lockheed Martin. The Pentagon plans to buy more of these missiles than initially planned.

Defense spending constitutes about half of the U.S. discretionary budget, with the other half allocated to transportation, education, diplomacy, and other departments. Entitlements like Social Security make up the nondiscretionary portion.

The 2024 budget, which includes $886 billion for national security, is yet to be approved by Congress. A continuing resolution is in place, keeping spending at 2023 levels until the 2024 budget is passed. The resolution ensures government operations until later in March.

As a result of the budget constraints, the Pentagon's order for Lockheed Martin's stealthy fighter will decrease to 68, down from the expected 83, leading to an estimated $1.6 billion reduction in spending on the jets.