Redefining Defense Budgets

Why is examining our current defense spending important?

First, the declining economy and growing national deficit are straining the national resolve for war. Not that any country should engage in war lightly or intent to maintain a constant state of war, but war of ideas (which is really what we are engaged in) must by nature be a protracted event. This is because changing ideas takes a long time.

Second, the continuing escalation in acquisition costs for major weapon systems is resulting in the US purchasing fewer units (184 F-22s to replace 700+ F-15s). Although these new systems are certainly more capable at the end of the day, there are still fewer. How can we engage in two major conflicts at the same time if we only have enough assets to be in one place. 700 F-15s could be in 700 places at once, but 184 F-22 can obviously, despite their technological advantage, can only be in 184 places at once.