Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly over Afghanistan, March 17, 2020. (Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lotz)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – President Biden has proposed a record $813 million Defense budget, up 4 percent for the fiscal year 2023. The Pentagon said the budget reflects the U.S. National Defense Strategy and the focus of that strategy on the pacing challenge of China. On March 28, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration submitted to Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget request of $813.3 billion for national defense, $773.0 billion of which is for the Department of Defense (DoD). The budget also includes nearly $56.5 billion for air power platforms and systems; more than $40.8 billion for sea power, to include nine more battle force ships, and nearly $12.6 billion to modernize Army and Marine Corps fighting vehicles; more than $130.1 billion for research and development in this budget – an all-time high.
In the 21st century, military establishments that don’t innovate “get left behind,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday Apr. 5, 2022.
The budget also provides the funding to deal with the threats posed by North Korea, Iran and violent extremists, Austin said during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (Credit: US DOD)
4.6 percent pay raise for military and civilian personnel in Budget
“We are also asking that Congress support our efforts to take care of our most critical asset, our people. Our budget requests $479 million to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault, and our 4.6 percent pay raise for our military and civilian personnel helps ensure they receive the pay they deserve and need, particular in light of the challenging current economic realities. Our budget request also includes additional investments to provide affordable childcare for both our military and civilian workforce. For instance, we are making additional investments in childcare fee assistance for both military and civilian members,” U.S. Defense Secretary Austin.
U.S. Support For Ukraine amid Russia Invasion
The United States needs to keep leading, too, the secretary said. Since Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, American leadership has become even more crucial, he added. “Countries around the world continue to look to the United States to provide that sort of leadership,” he said. “With help from Congress, we’ve been able to rush security assistance to … help the Ukrainian people defend their lives, their country and their freedom.”
The United States is providing that leadership, and Austin reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine. He told the members of the committee that even before Russia’s unprovoked invasion, the U.S. sent more than a billion dollars’ worth of weapons and supplies to Ukraine.
The U.S. military has also reinforced the NATO allies on the eastern flank, raising our posture in Europe to more than 100,000 troops. “These reinforcements include dozens of aircraft, an aircraft carrier strike group and two brigade combat teams,” Austin said. “We will defend every inch NATO territory if required. And we’re making good . . . on that promise.”
