The Pentagon has requested the largest budget in its history. Department of Defense (DOD) Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks requested an appropriation of $842 billion to curb the threats facing the country. These funds represent an increase of 3.2% over the previous fiscal year.
In a press conference held this Monday, Hicks announced that they will ask Congress to approve the budget. "This is the largest defense budget request in nominal terms that the United States has ever put forward. Thanks to relentless focus and senior leader attention over the last year, it's also the most strategy-aligned budget in history," he said.
LIVE: @DepSecDef Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff @USNavy Adm. Christopher W. Grady provide opening remarks at the #DoD budget briefing in Airman's Hall at the Pentagon. https://t.co/dTG6xQ875B
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) March 13, 2023
Countering persistent threats such as China and Russia
Joe Biden presented his budget plan for fiscal year 2024. In it, he already specified the funds he is requesting for DOD. His budget proposal must receive the approval of the Republican Party, which holds the majority in the House of Representatives.
The president remarked that the DOD budget increase would serve to "counter persistent threats," including China and Russia in addition to North Korea, Iran and violent extremist organizations.
"Our greatest measure of success and the one we use around here most often, is to make sure the PRC (People's Republic of China) leadership wakes up every day, considers the risks of aggression, and concludes 'today's not the day.' And for them to think that today and every day between now and 2027, now and 2035, now and 2049 and beyond," the DOD deputy secretary added in this regard.
Twice the Chinese budget and five times the Russian budget
The funds requested by the Biden Administration for DOD are far greater than what China and Russia are going to allocate to their respective Ministries of Defense. In early March, the communist regime of Xi Jinping announced a budget allocation of $230 billion for the Ministry of National Defense. This represents an increase of 7.2% over the previous fiscal year.
For his part, Vladimir Putin presented an appropriation of some $84 billion for the Russian Defense Ministry. This budget was increased by more than 40% over 2021, VOA News reported.
