The defense budget request from the White House cuts Defense Department procurement funding by $8 billion. The request asks for $112 billion for research and development, a 5% increase.
- Todd Harrison, director of defense budget analysis at CSIS and former captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, said there was less resource transfer from the Army to the Navy than many had expected, meaning the Navy’s procurement plans are scaled back and the Army did not take major cuts to force structure.
- Harrison said the Air Force and Navy proposed divestments of planes and ships, and while they are pretty sure Congress will add them back, it puts the onus on Congress to figure out how to pay for that.
- Harrison noted the services’ wish lists came out more quickly than usual after the budget request.
