U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Wednesday pledged $ 40 billion U.S. dollars in the new Pentagon spending over the next decade to reduce, but warned that additional cuts required by law to bring the grim choice, you can bend or break the president's defense strategy.
, Opened his four-month review of strategic options and management, Hegel said that the Pentagon and its agencies and headquarters units in the next decade would cut $ 4 billion U.S. dollars in overhead.
He said the review concluded the Army could further cut and cut, it will be trimmed to the size of the smallest since the beginning of World War II. Hegel says, can be further streamlined, and the Air Force, the Pentagon would save $ 5 billion compensation reforms.
But Defense Minister said, eliminate duplication and waste, saving nowhere near enough to meet the legal requirements of budget cuts - $ 50 billion over a decade across the board reduction on top of the $ 487 one billion has already begun.
Deeper reduction, known as a storage mechanism, will inevitably force the Pentagon to further shrink the military, and the size of the transaction can not afford to increase wages and benefits, and difficult trade-offs between the size of the force and weapons plan, Hegel said.
"Inescapable conclusion is that, so that (an additional $ 50 billion in cuts) insisted would be a huge strategic misjudgment, nor in the best interests of our country," Hagel told the Pentagon news conference .
The Pentagon has long been beyond the initial Budget Control Act of 2011 required 487 billion dollar budget cuts resistance. Analysts have criticized the nature of the additional cuts Archive - This is not considered of strategic importance - it has not been skeptical additional cuts Pentagon dire warnings.
Hegel said that the Pentagon out of the way to avoid "crying wolf" review.
In Lexington Institute think tank, said analyst Loren Thompson, Hegel actually underestimated the Pentagon's concern, saying the preparation and equipment decreased basically means "War soldiers will die, lack of equipment and training. "
Defense Minister said that the Pentagon's analysis found that cuts spending and compensation will still leave the Pentagon $ 350 billion to $ 400 billion shy of $ 500 billion to reduce storage requirements.
He said that further reductions will require a hard force size and development of the trade-off between high-end weapons.
Growth for a decade, because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army reduced its strength from a high of 570,000 490,000 soldiers. Hegel said that the review found that the Army can reduce up to 70,000 more troops, remains a "priority."
Cuts of this magnitude could lead an army to fight after the Second World War low.
Hegel said, five Air Force fighter squadrons, usually each have 18-24 aircraft, may be eliminated, C-130 transport fleet size can also be reduced from the current 358.
"Modernization rest?"
Modest reduction in force structure will reach $ 15 billion U.S. dollars the Pentagon cuts over ten years, President Obama has proposed as an alternative cut sequestration, Hegel said.
"Beyond the president's plan will significantly reduce the need for many more slash force structure," he said.
In addition to the President's proposal, the review looked at a scene strategic choices, which will include more than a decade defense budget cuts $ 2.5 billion, plus $ 50 billion in cuts required archived.
, "Hagel said:" 'between the budget and we will evaluate "bend" Our defense strategy an important way, and sequestrum grade cuts would' break 'strategy no matter how certain parts cut.
He recalled that, looking at whether it would be better to go for a smaller force with higher-end capabilities, high-end weapons systems with fewer or greater strength. The pursuit of advanced systems, the Army will need to remain small, and reduce the number of aircraft from 11 to 8 or 9.
Fielding greater strength and more advanced weapons systems costs will basically result in a "decade-long modern resort," Hagel said.
Hegel did not identify any specific weapons programs being cut, but vowed to protect a number of programs, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the new bombers and submarines cruise upgrade if the military decided to retain the high-end more than the ability to scale.
If the size is considered more important, the army would have to cancel or curtail many weapons programs, slow growth in spending cuts networks, special operations forces, he said.
Hegel said that in the next few months to decide how to balance the two distinct options. He said that the final decision would be Obama.
"Prior to this review, many Americans, I do not know why 10% of the budget cuts are in fact destructive, Hegel said:" In a prepared speech. This analysis shows that in the most severe terms of how in reality there is a 10% reduction in defense spending led to a much higher military preparedness and ability. "
 



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