Defense Drumbeat

"Every day we live under a continuing resolution is a day we do damage to our military."

- Mac Thornberry, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee

THE PROBLEM:

Budget cuts and continuing resolutions since 2008 have cut the Army's ability by over 70% to replace old, worn out equipment with modern platforms that can compete with competitors like Russia and China. Soldiers are now falling behind these countries in some capabilities. As Gen. Allyn said this year, "today we are outranged, outgunned and outdated…An unintended consequence of current fiscal constraints is that the Army can no longer afford the most modern equipment, and we risk falling behind near-peers in critical capabilities."

WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY:

The CR forces the Army to continue to defer developing and buying platforms that can compete with major competitors like Russia and China. For example, under current funding levels the Army will not be able to complete upgrading their Abrams tanks until 2035. The CR slows development of 18 new initiatives and prevents production increases for 8 more.

WHAT WE COULD BE DOING:

The NDAA accelerates modernizing Armored Brigade Combat Teams while restoring their capabilities. The NDAA speeds up modernization of the Abrams tank, the Bradley fighting vehicle, the Hercules recovery vehicle, the Armored Multipurpose Vehicle, and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.