Plans outlined in the Pentagon’s Future Years Defense Program would cause the base defense budget to balloon to $735 billion (in today’s dollars) by 2033, according to new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
The base amount requested for 2019 was $617, plus overseas contingency costs. It is expected to be higher when the administration sends its budget request to Capitol Hill mid-March.
“About 25 percent of the total growth from 2024 through 2033 would be in military personnel costs, 55 percent in [operations and maintenance] costs, and 20 percent in costs to develop and purchase weapon systems,” the report said.
Snap of the Week
Naval Academy plebes climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen’s freshman year. The class of 2027 completed the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey