The Defense Department's budget request is driven by the National Defense Strategy, DOD Comptroller David L. Norquist, who is performing the duties of deputy defense secretary, told senators during a Senate Budget Committee hearing.
Defense officials wrote in the 2018 National Defense Strategy that "Long-term strategic competitions with China and Russia are the principal priorities for the department, and require both increased and sustained investment, because of the magnitude of the threats they pose to U.S. security and prosperity today, and the potential for those threats to increase in the future."
The strategy also acknowledges other threats that include Iran, North Korea and global terrorism.
Norquist testified in Washington as part of the congressional review of the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request.
High-end Threats
Key elements of the budget are designed to counter growing threats from near-peer competitors such as China and Russia:
1
$14.1 billion to resource the new Space Force headquarters, mitigate risk to satellite communications jamming, increase the number of GPS satellites and their operational control system, improve space-based missile warning capabilities and continue investment in space launch capacity.
2
$9.6 billion to support offensive and defensive cyberspace operations and modernize DOD's multicloud environment.
3
$57.7 billion for offensive and defensive weapons in the air domain, to include procurement of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, joint air-surface missiles and fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft.
4
$14.6 billion for offensive and defensive weapons in the land domain, to include Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, amphibious combat vehicles, multirole anti-armor weapons systems and binocular night vision devices.
5
$34.7 billion for offensive and defensive weapons in the maritime domain, to include large unmanned surface vehicles, long range anti-ship missiles, maritime strike tactical Tomahawks, three Virginia-class submarines, three destroyers and a frigate.
6
$13.6 billion for missile defense, including improving ground-based missile defenses, expanding capability for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense systems and the development of directed energy and air-launched kinetic interceptors.
7
$14 billion to modernize the nuclear force, which includes Columbia-class submarines, the B-21 Raider bomber in development and long-range standoff weapons.
8
The budget request also reflects a strong reliance on closer bonds with allies and partners and on cost savings through reform efforts, such as the recent DOD-wide audit.