Reflections on the US military budget for 2022
Photo: Torrance Saunders / US Army
I wrote a lot about the active actions of the West to maintain dominance in the military sphere. It is clear that the inertia of thinking and the habit of feeling their impunity for any actions of the NATO bloc or individual states force American and European politicians to increase military spending, modernize armies, and create new types of weapons.
Moreover, in the West there is an understanding that the army, which the West so persistently developed, is now no longer fulfilling the tasks assigned to it. Dispersed throughout the world, the American army performs the task of the avenging sword perfectly, but only until it encounters serious resistance.
If earlier, especially after the collapse of the USSR, there really were no states in the world that could "spoil the mood" of the Americans with retaliatory strikes on the territory of the United States and Western Europe, today such states have appeared. This is not only Russia and China. There is also Iran, North Korea, Arab countries.
Yes, most of these countries cannot deliver a nuclear strike, but what we saw in the United States on September 11, 2001, showed one of the possibilities of waging war in modern conditions. There is a cyberspace war. There is a war in space. There are many more ways of conducting military operations today than there were even 30-50 years ago.
Why politicians and the military say opposite things about the world situation
The information space today is simply inundated with statements by politicians of various ranks about the situation in a certain region, about international relations, about the state of international politics in a global sense. And, at the same time, the military periodically makes similar statements. At the same time, the statements of the military are often fundamentally opposite to the statements of politicians.
It is clear that wars are started by politicians, but they are waged by the military. Hence the difference in approaches to international relations. Hence the ease with which radical politicians from different countries scatter threats of the use of military force, and at the same time, more realistic performances by the military, who calculate the options for conducting military operations in detail.
What happened in the "stronghold of democracy" in recent years that cooled the aggressiveness of politicians and strengthened the position of the military?
So, I will give a couple of examples offhand. The North Koreans quickly extinguished the US attempt to exert military pressure on their country. Several sensitive blows to the hands from the Russian army in Syria and the Black Sea. Almost complete disregard of the American Armed Forces by the PRC. And so on.
The Americans have come to understand that in the modern world the ocean will no longer save them from retaliation. Understanding that new weapons systems have appeared, especially in the traditionally defensive armies of Russia and China, which are designed specifically to deliver such a strike. To strike the territory of the United States. And so far there is nothing to resist such a blow.
The scouts of the US Army missed the moment of creating new weapons, and analysts - the moment of restoring the production and scientific potential of Russia. And China did educate itself, set up modern production facilities, and created a scientific basis for the development of such weapons.
Biden will set new record in absentee competition with Trump
When President Trump passed a record US military budget of $ 703,7 billion, some congressmen howled. Where is so much money? How much criticism the American president received then from his political opponents. The supporters of the Democratic Party did not call the “spender” with any words.
So what?
Today, a new record is planned in the draft military budget. $ 753 billion for defense and security needs in fiscal 2022. At the same time, the Pentagon directly receives $ 715 billion.
Moreover, the US Congress today says that several hundred million must be added! Not the President, but the Congress. By the way, Biden asked for $ 752,9 billion.
So, the military budget will be increased by 1,6% over last year's record.
Very indicative in this respect is the statement of "the guy I call General" (c), US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
"The US military faces significant challenges from countries such as China and Russia, as well as threats to global security stemming from factors such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic."
What are the priorities for the development of the armed forces in the United States
In addition to a certain financial interest, the budget of any country, even in its open part, gives an answer to the question of those areas that need to be strengthened at this time. The military budget, accordingly, provides an answer to the same question, but in the narrowly professional military sphere. Even though such expenses are often masked by secrecy or are carried out in separate articles in the civil part.
I'll start with the army.
It is no secret that confidence in their own security led to the fact that for many decades the Americans practically did not care about strengthening their nuclear forces. The dominant point of view was that the weapons that were available were enough to destroy the enemy. The understanding of the fact that missile defense systems exist and are developing came quite recently: just when Russia demonstrated some types of its new weapons.
That is why in 2022 the Americans will allocate $ 27,7 billion for the modernization of their nuclear forces alone. Two other aspects of the use of nuclear weapons automatically follow from this figure. First of all, these are delivery vehicles and means for the creation of a real missile defense system in the United States. For these purposes, $ 20,4 billion is allocated.
Traditionally, the Americans pay great attention to the modernization of the Air Force.
For these purposes, the budget provides for the allocation of $ 54,4 billion. Moreover, this amount does not include the costs of developing new aircraft. Funds are allocated for the purchase of new machines. It is planned to purchase 85 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fighters, 12 heavily armed F-15EX fighters, 9 CH-53K King Stallion transport and cargo helicopters. The remaining funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment.
Slightly less funds are allocated to the Navy.
$ 34,6 billion! And again, excluding development costs. These funds will be used to pay for the construction of 3 submarines. Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, two more Virginia-class submarines. In addition, funds have been allocated for the maintenance of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
As you can see, the Americans are not abandoning the policy of domination in the world's oceans. Yes, and it would be difficult to imagine this today, when the United States has the really strongest fleet The world.
I liked the Pentagon's reaction to some of the incidents in Syria. The United States quickly realized that armored vehicles were no longer the best in the world. Modernization required. In order not to be inferior, for example, to Russia, for these purposes (including) the ground forces receive $ 12,3 billion.
A very indicative figure that characterizes the importance of another side of the modern confrontation. $ 10,4 billion to develop and strengthen divisions working in cyberspace. A huge amount! This means that great attention is paid to this particular side of the confrontation.
Well, about space.
Over the past two years, there has been active talk about the closure of the ISS. I am not inclined to blame someone for any incidents at the station, such as a hole that appeared out of nowhere in the case. Anything can happen. But the fact that Russia and the United States will work independently in space is clear to everyone. We have not received a refusal from war in outer space.
In the future budget for space programs will be allocated $ 20,6 billion.
Catch up and overtake Russia
As you noticed, I said little above about the development of new weapons. But this does not mean at all that the United States will not be engaged in this.
The appearance in Russia of a hypersonic weapons was a tragedy for US military doctrine. In fact, the entire US defense was nullified with the advent of hypersound. The emergence of such weapons in China is simply forcing the United States to catch up.
Here are some quotes from some of the US military on this matter.
"China and Russia are deploying conventional long-range hypersonic weapons that can pose a threat to our allies and partners, as well as to US forces at a distance exceeding the range of existing air defense systems."
“We are starting the production of airborne rapid reaction weapons (ARRW). This hypersonic missile on an airborne platform will be ready in 2022 ",
- Ron Boxall, Vice Admiral of the United States Navy
The Pentagon will allocate $ 6,6 billion for these purposes in the coming year.
Moreover, the creation of missiles of this type is planned for 2022. At the same time, a land-based, sea-based and air-based missile is being developed. True, the American military has an understanding of the utopian nature of solving such a problem in a short time, therefore, at the first stage, it is planned to equip the Air Force with hypersonic missiles. And, for example, the Navy will be equipped only in 2025.
The answer to the question, who is the main enemy of the United States
Remember how many copies were broken when discussing this particular issue. Oddly enough, but we are already "not a friend, and not an enemy, but so ...". The main enemy of the United States is now China. And without any reservations.
"He (Xi Jinping) is firmly convinced that by 2030-2035 China will plug America in the belt because autocracies can make decisions quickly."
I specifically recalled the very recent speech of the US President and his words about the leader of China.
“I spent more time with Chinese President Xi Jinping than any other world leader. During the closed meetings, politicians talked for a total of 24 hours, and also covered a total of 17 thousand miles on joint trips around the United States and China. "
I will not recall the year 2035. Probably Joe Biden made a slip, and laughing at reservations is stupid. The main thing is that the president focused on China. On their efforts to smooth out the crisis of relations.
Even more specifically expressed and. about. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ann McAndrew:
"We will continue to modernize the global capabilities and operating principles of our forces so that our military can carry out deterrence and defense missions in the event of aggression in the Indo-Pacific region that could undermine the security of both the United States and our allies."
Are Americans Right? Is China really the kind of force that can withstand the United States?
Here it is necessary to clarify the position a little. There are two global players in the world. USA and Russia. China does not claim global domination. He follows a simple logic, once formulated by the Russian people in the saying "a chicken pecks by the grain."
Yes, the PRC is modernizing its nuclear forces, the Air Force, and the Navy. Yes, the Chinese army is the most numerous today, and its numbers are constantly growing. But for what purpose is this done? It is in order to take the lead in the Indo-Pacific region. China has long announced its claims in the region. China deliberately goes to conflicts in the South China Sea. China seizes abandoned islands, builds new islands in this sea.
It is not at all profitable for the Americans to lose their influence in this part of the world's oceans. Too many trade routes have been laid there. And the one who controls them gets too much. This can partly explain the withdrawal of American troops from the Middle East and their transfer to this region. It is the threat of a military clash with China that Biden's main headache is now. Diplomacy, even at the highest level, did not work.
Returning to the topic of this article, the US is committing $ 2020 billion to the Pacific Containment Initiative launched in 5,1!
Probably, this topic will take the most important place at the meeting of Presidents Putin and Biden. Neutralizing Russia, as an ally of the PRC, will give the Americans at least some chance of victory. Otherwise, the US will be forced to crawl away.
No wonder and. about. Under Secretary of Defense Anne McAndrew, bluntly said the following:
"... the threat posed by China is designated in the budget as a priority area."
Interim conclusions on the draft US military budget
Immediately after the election of the new US president, a dispute broke out in the media and in political analysts about how the Americans would behave next. Will Democrat Biden continue the policies of criticized Republican Trump? Today these questions have disappeared. No matter how much American politicians would like to show the independence of US policy from the system of power, it is the system that decides. President Biden continues the policies pursued by President Trump. Whether he wants it or not, it doesn't matter.
The increase in the military budget of the United States is connected not so much with inflation as with the desire to "scare" the Russians and the Chinese.
Agree, even today, many Western political scientists, speaking about the military power of a state, compare not the army, but the military budgets of states. The one who spends more has the stronger army. But it is clear that this is far from the case.
For example, the army of Russia and China are similar in tasks, but the US army was created to solve other tasks. Hence the expenses for the army. It is one thing to maintain a brigade or division at home, on its territory, and another thing to maintain a military base of the same size abroad.
The same applies to the procurement of equipment and weapons. The cost of equivalent goods in China and the United States differs by an order of magnitude or even more. Is the same story the United States and Russia. Even equipment and weapons on international markets are sometimes sold with such a difference in price that it takes your breath away.
On the whole, the US military budget looks quite clear.
No matter how hard the United States tries to launch an arms race, so far only the United States is "driving" by increasing its budget.
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