WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, questioned Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the inadequate budget for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2023.
During the hearing, Rep. McClain referenced a drop in procurement of the Abrams tank, pushing General Milley for the rationale behind the drop of this critical combat vehicle from the budget. General Milley suggested that a war with China would predominantly be fought with air and Maritime forces. Their exchange led Rep. McClain to highlight that the Air Force is the oldest, smallest and least ready in its’s entire history. Rep. McClain then questioned the rationale for not procuring the 72 fighter aircraft the Air Force needs to maintain their current average age.
For video of the exchange, click here.
A transcript of Congresswoman McClain’s exchange with General Milley is below:
Rep. Lisa McClain: Thank you, sir. Then I need some clarification from both of you on the President's budget request for combat vehicles. Can you explain the army's rationale for the precipitous drop in vehicle procurement, specifically, the Abrams tank, and what risks are we incurring with that drop in procurement of the Abrams tank?
General Milley: Well, first, we've got about four or five thousand tanks in the inventory. So again, it's relative to the national defense strategy. We are optimizing the military for a fight that will occur- if it occurs at all, hopefully, it never does- in the 2030s. Tanks may or may not, probably not, play a very significant role in a war against China in the 2030s. What will play a really significant role will be space and cyber. But also, air defense systems, long-range precision fires, naval capabilities, air capabilities, and sub-force.
Rep. Lisa McClain: So, we just don't see a ground war, so to speak.
General Milley: With China, Marines and the Army will play an important role, but the dominant role will be played by the air and maritime forces.
Rep. Lisa McClain: With that, then, the Air Force is the oldest, smallest, and least ready in its entire history. The Air Force leadership has repeatedly explained that they need to procure at least 72 fighter aircraft. However, in (20), 23 DOD budget cuts the Air Force new tactical combat aircraft buy to only 57. So, with the future being in air and space where we really need it, why are not fulfilling the 72? Why are we only procuring 57 if that's the future?
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