US Military Leaders: Budget Caps Are Crippling Armed Forces

A panel of senior US military officers warned lawmakers that the fiscal constraints are crippling the military’s ability to respond to threats around the world, pleading for a repeal of a law that strictly limits defense spending.

    Appearing before the House Armed Services Committee, the officers delivered a message that appears to grow grimmer each time it's delivered. It echoed President Donald Trump who promised to reinvest in a "depleted" military although annual defense spending is more than $600 billion.

    Each of the military services have delivered to Congress plans for increasing the 2017 defense budget by more than $30 billion to acquire new jet fighters, armored vehicles, improved training and more.

    Adm. William Moran, the vice chief of naval operations, said that more than half of all Navy aircraft are grounded because they're awaiting maintenance or lack needed spare parts. The figure is even higher for the service's front line F/A-18 fighter jets, according to Moran.

    Gen. Daniel Allyn, the Army's vice chief of staff, told the panel that only three of the Army's more than 50 brigade combat teams have all the troops, training and equipment needed to fight at a moment's notice.

    The Marine Corps, arguing for a $4.2 billion boost to its 2017 budget, warned that the "nation's force in readiness" will have to continue shifting money intended for new weapons to pay current bills.

    The Navy's request totals $12 billion in additional spending and asks for 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, one San Antonio-class amphibious landing dock ship, and dozens more Sidewinder missiles.

    Without more money, the 2017 fiscal year, which ends September 30, "is projected to have a significant shortfall in afloat readiness," according to the Navy document.

Source: QNA