战略与国际研究中心-The-FY2008-National-Security-Program_47页_791kb

FY2008 National Security Program Summary

Core Content

This document provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) budget request for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY2008), as well as a comparative analysis of the budget with other federal spending trends and legislative proposals. It highlights the financial and strategic implications of the budget, focusing on the impact of rising mandatory spending, the adequacy of defense funding, and the allocation of resources to meet current and future security challenges.

Main Points and Key Information

1. Overview of the FY2008 Budget Request

• The President's FY2008 budget request is complex and includes both baseline and supplemental funding.
• The base budget for the DoD is $481.4 billion, representing an 11.3% increase over the projected enacted level for FY2007.
• The budget also includes $93.4 billion in FY2007 emergency supplemental funding and $141.7 billion in FY2008 to support ongoing operations in the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
• A $50 billion allowance is included for FY2009 to continue GWOT efforts.

2. Budget Trends and Comparisons

• From FY1985 to FY2007, U.S. defense outlays have risen significantly, with mandatory spending driving the growth.
• The CBO estimates that the share of defense spending in total federal spending will decrease over the period FY2006–FY2017 due to the rising costs of entitlement programs.
• The FY2008 baseline request assumes major cuts in the real cost of defense after FY2006, which is considered unrealistic.

3. Impact of Rising Mandatory Spending

• Mandatory spending continues to rise, which could constrain future defense budgets.
• If the federal government maintains a 20% share of GDP, it may need to sharply reduce discretionary spending, including defense, to achieve a balanced budget by 2012.

4. Military Manpower and End Strength

• The FY2008 request does not fully fund current military manpower, and even less for the proposed increase in end strength.
• The Army is expected to increase its active-duty end strength from 482,400 to 547,400 by 2012, and the Marine Corps from 175,000 to 202,000 by 2011.
• This increase will add approximately 92,000 troops by 2012, with additional costs estimated at $108 billion.

5. Funding Allocation by Service

• Army: Increased from $176.5 billion in FY2006 to $130.1 billion in FY2008.
• Navy: Increased from $144.6 billion in FY2006 to $139.9 billion in FY2008.
• Air Force: Increased from $140.9 billion in FY2006 to $136.6 billion in FY2008.
• Defense-wide: Increased from $74.4 billion in FY2006 to $75.1 billion in FY2008.
• The total baseline defense spending for FY2008 is $481.4 billion.

6. Military Construction and Family Housing

• The FY2008 request includes $18.2 billion for military construction, but family housing is underfunded.
• The budget assumes that "victory" in 2008 would allow major cuts in operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, but not enough to fund adequate family housing.

7. Procurement and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E)

• The budget allocates more funding to military procedure (operations and maintenance) at the expense of RDT&E.
• The projected rise in procedure funding cannot cover the real-world costs for resetting and procuring major new programs.

8. Key Goals of the FY2008 Defense Request

• Part One:

  • Increase the size and capability of the Army and Marine Corps.
  • Reorganize the Army into a modular force.
  • Expand the Special Operations Command.
  • Enhance international partnerships and military readiness.
  • Improve technology and global capabilities.
  • Support the homeland through missile defense and counter-terrorism programs.

• Part Two:

  • Ensure the all-volunteer force and their families have access to quality training, equipment, and healthcare.
  • Provide compensation and benefits, including a 3% pay raise.
  • Fund the Severely Injured Support Center.
  • Support the Defense Health Program with $20.6 billion in funding.
  • Strengthen the U.S. intelligence community through increased funding for human and signals intelligence, data processing, and analytic capabilities.

9. Budgetary Challenges

• The DoD faces rising costs in personnel, healthcare, and new weapons systems.
• The FY2008 budget assumes that the cost of ongoing operations will be included in the base budget, which may not be realistic.
• The Navy's shipbuilding plan is underfunded and may not be able to meet its goals due to rising costs and delays.
• The F-22A, F/A-18E/F, and F-35 programs have experienced cost overruns and schedule delays.

10. Additional Budgetary Items

• The budget includes $348 million for the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.
• $8.9 billion is allocated to the Missile Defense Agency.
• $43 billion is provided for the National Guard and Reserve.
• The total amount of supplemental funding for the War on Terror is expected to increase from $426.8 billion to $661.9 billion by 2008.

Conclusion

The FY2008 National Security Program reflects a strategic shift in U.S. defense spending, emphasizing the need for increased military readiness, modernization, and support for the all-volunteer force. However, the budget faces significant challenges, including unrealistic assumptions about cost reductions, underfunding of key areas like family housing, and rising mandatory spending that may constrain future defense budgets. The report also highlights the importance of addressing the long-term fiscal sustainability of the U.S. defense and intelligence programs.