Frank Vernuccio | On August 14, 2018

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva testify on the National Defense Strategy and the Nuclear Posture Review before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, Feb. 6, 2018

In response to the extraordinary rise in threats from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and terrorists, the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides needed resources, many believe long overdue, for the U.S. military, which had been underfunded throughout the Obama Administration.

The $717 billion it provides was approved by Congress at the fastest pace in two decades, reflecting the urgency of deterring the dramatically expanded challenge from Moscow and Beijing. The broad support for the bill was reflected in the vote totals, including 87-10 approval in the Senate and 359-54 in the House.

Key general provisions include an increase in the military’s authorized active-duty end strength by 15,600; a 2.6% pay raise, the largest in nine years, and strengthening cyber defenses, and support for major weapons programs.

A White House statement noted that,

“…the FY 2019 NDAA enhances the President’s ability to defend the Nation.  It also supports key components of the Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review, South Asia Strategy, vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and ongoing operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)…The FY 2019 NDAA keeps faith with Israel, fully authorizing the Administration request for co-development and co-production of missile defense systems.  It supports the European Deterrence Initiative, strengthening the posture of the United States in Europe and bolstering our European allies against the threat of Russian aggression.”

The defense publication Stars and Stripes stressed that the measure “dictates the next steps in creating a Space Force, but falls short of President Donald Trump’s calls for a new military branch.”

While China’s military buildup has arguably been larger, Russia’s deployment of major weapons system directly enhancing its nuclear power, its invasions of Ukraine and Georgia, and Putin’s threatening actions against the Baltics, is seen as the more immediate danger. Secretary Mattis notes that,

“Russia… continues to modernize and invest across the full range of military capability, including new aircraft, submarines, armor, counter-space, and air defense systems, while also modernizing conventional and nuclear strike capabilities. These investments and activities are specifically designed to limit our power projection capability and undermine the credibility of U.S. alliances, especially NATO.”

Specific weapons programs supported by the legislation include:

• A new aircraft carrier, increasing the number of carriers to 12, allowing the Navy to project power and counter Russia more often around the world.
• 13 battle force ships for the Navy, continuing to grow the surface fleet and project power around the world.
• 2 Virginia Class submarines, growing the Navy’s subsurface fleet, which counters Russia around the world.
• Modernization of the nuclear triad by authorizing $250 million for expansion of the submarine industrial base, which supports the development and building of the Columbia class, a key to deterring Russian nuclear aggression.
• 77 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 5th generation fighter-attack aircraft to counter Russian air and ground forces.
• Efforts to modernize Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT), including 135 M1 Abrams tanks, 60 Bradley fighting vehicles, 197 Armored multi-purpose vehicles, and 3,390 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
• 45 of the most modernized Paladin self-propelled howitzer artillery systems.
• 69 Stryker Combat Vehicles.
• Maintaining the maximum production rate for critical munitions to support deterring Russia.
• Increased funding to accelerate two key Air Force nuclear modernization programs, the ground-based strategic deterrent and the long-range stand off cruise missile.
• Significant funding to research and development for the next generation of missile defense technology.
• Funding to develop and field low yield nuclear weapons to counter Russian nuclear weapons.

Frank Vernuccio serves as editor-in-chief of the New York Analysis of Policy and Government.

Originally published on Townhall Finance.

Frank Vernuccio

Frank Vernuccio serves as editor-in-chief of the New York Analysis of Policy & Government (website usagovpolicy.com). He is the co-host of the syndicated radio program, Vernuccio/Novak Report, and is also a contributor to Fox News. His columns appear in many newspapers. After graduating Hofstra Law School, he was a legislative editor for a major publishing company, then served in both Republican and Democrat Administrations. Following the 9/11 attack, he was appointed to run the hard-hit Manhattan branch of the New York State Workers Compensation Board.