More funds for Af-Pak war in $548.9 bn US defence budget

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama Monday proposed putting almost $30 billion more into the wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq as he proposed a record $3.8 trillion budget for 2011 with $548.9 billion outlay for defence.

The third budget in a row with a deficit of more than $1 trillion, the $1.267-trillion deficit budget boosts the Defence Department outlay by 3.4 percent over the 2010 enacted level.

The funding increase allows the Defence Department “to address its highest priorities, such as the President’s commitment to reform defence acquisition, develop a ballistic missile defence system that addresses modern threats”, according to the White House.

Providing $159.3 billion for ongoing overseas contingency operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the budget also makes a supplemental funding request of $33.0 billion for 2010 to address immediate funding requirements for these missions.

While the US military is addressing ongoing challenges - such as drawing down responsibly in Iraq and carrying out the President’s strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan the department is identifying long-term strategic needs and targeting resources toward its highest priorities, the White House said.

The budget seeks continuing development and procurement of “many advanced weapons systems that support both today’s wars and future conflicts.” These include: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a new family of ground vehicles, new ships such as the next generation ballistic missile submarine, and the P-8 aircraft.

Obama’s defence outlay also aims at bolstering capabilities in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or drones used in Afghanistan and Pakistan, helicopters, and cybersecurity and electronic warfare, “which are key components in the ongoing task of rebalancing the military to focus on current and emerging threat”, the White House said.

At the same time the president proposed ending the C-17 aircraft programme because additional aircraft are not needed, saving $2.5 billion.

He also suggested elimination of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Alternate Engine programme to save another $465 million, “because this program raises logistical, management, and cost concerns.”

Saying the Obama administration is “committed to building a transparent, high-performance government capable of addressing the challenges of the 21st century”, the White House said every department including defence had identified high-priority performance goals, along with the strategies and in-house resources to achieve them.