Military leaders say budget caps crippling armed forces

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Pleading for a repeal of a law that strictly limits defense spending, a panel of four-star military officers warned lawmakers Tuesday that the fiscal constraints are crippling the military’s ability to respond to threats around the world.

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.

“You’ve been lacking a little equipment, we’re going to load it up. You’re going to get a lot of equipment,” Trump said at Central Command on Monday.

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.

The informal proposals, obtained by the Associated Press, represent the first attempt by Trump’s Defense Department to halt the erosion of the military’s combat readiness. The shortfalls outlined in the documents may provide Trump and the national security hawks in Congress with a powerful incentive to strike the caps on military spending.

Adm. William Moran, the vice chief of naval operations, says 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.

Portions of the plans will likely be included in the formal supplemental budget for 2017 that the Trump administration is sending to Capitol Hill soon.