“We intend to support India in the creation of logistics, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and ships… that is obviously something that will be important as we work together to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
By Ashley RoqueOne Republican-backed amendment funds a special inspector general for Ukraine spending, while a Democrat-backed add-on targets “excessive contractor payments.”
By Ashley RoqueWhen the House Appropriations Committee marks up the FY24 defense spending bill this week, social issues and a roadblock for multi-year munition deals appear to be on the table.
By Ashley Roque and Jaspreet GillThe DoD topline is a 3.6% increase over last year and roughly $285 million more than the White House sought.
By Justin Katz and Michael Marrow“We agree that there is urgency to make sure that Taiwan is prepared as part of deterrence to keep China from moving forward,” said State Department’s Assistant Secretary Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis.
By Ashley Roque“China, right now describes us in their open speeches…as a declining power,” Gen. Mark Milley said “Defaulting on the debt will only reinforce that thought and embolden China and increase risk to the United States.”
By Ashley RoqueThe Office of Management and Budget has notified Congress this week with its FY24 budget request amendments.
By Ashley Roque“OMB’s opposition to establishing a SNG and directive to transfer current National Guard space missions to an unestablished ‘Space Component’ will create a 7–10 year gap in the capabilities Air National Guard Space Units provide today,” the 51 Guard adjutant generals argue in a letter to President Joe Biden.
By Theresa HitchensIt’s been roughly four years since the service put the brakes on buying the CH-47F Chinook Block II configuration, but a decision is expected this calendar year.
By Ashley Roque“The bottom line is the entire joint force is required to help deliver effects to both deter and fight and win,” said US Indo-Pacific Command head Navy Admiral John Aquilino.
By Ashley Roque“One of the reasons it hasn’t happened in the past is because Congress is reluctant to give up even this much authority,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said today. “I think it’s a minimal amount of authority to give up for a very high return.”
By Theresa Hitchens“Taiwan also certainly needs to be able to make sure that any invading force is caught dead in its tracks in the strait as it comes across [and] to be able to defend at the beaches and to be able to be resilient, in depth, on [the] island,” said Jedidiah Royal, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.
By Ashley Roque“In denying the protest, GAO concluded that the Army reasonably evaluated Sikorsky’s proposal as technically unacceptable because Sikorsky failed to provide the level of architectural detail required by the RFP,” the office wrote in a statement.
By Ashley Roque