MOSCOW, Dec 23-RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. Us senators and congressmen approved the draft defense budget. In 2021, Washington intends to spend a record $ 740 billion on military needs. The plans include the modernization of the armed forces, the development of new technologies, as well as the further expansion of the us geopolitical influence — sanctions against opponents and assistance to allies. Although Donald trump has threatened to veto the draft, the budget is sure to be approved. About how the Pentagon will dispose of this money — in the material RIA Novosti.
Dispute with the President
The defense budget has caused controversy at the highest levels of American power. While still acting President Donald trump expressed dissatisfaction with the reduction in the number of American troops in Afghanistan, Korea and Germany. He had previously opposed the bill's proposed renaming of military installations named after Confederate figures during the Civil war, and the elimination of any other symbolism of the slave-owning South.
In addition, the President is not satisfied that the document does not contain a clause repealing section 230 of the communications ethics act of 1996, which protects technology companies from lawsuits for posting, deleting or otherwise moderating user content. He has old scores with Twitter, Facebook and a number of other Internet platforms that often flag his statements as misinformation and controversial content. Trump has repeatedly accused them of censorship and attempts to influence politics. He is convinced that social networks and mass media should be recognized as legally responsible for the published materials.
Nevertheless, 300 congressmen out of 438 have already voted for the draft budget. This allows the house of representatives to override a presidential veto. When trump blocks the project, Congress will vote again. And if the document is approved again, it will be accepted finally. In addition, the law was supported by the Senate: 84 in favor and only 13 against.
Sanctions and support
One of the main geopolitical innovations of the draft budget is sanctions against Nord stream 2. The Americans are diligently and consistently trying to undermine Russia's position in the hydrocarbon market. The budget provides for penalties for facilitating the construction of the gas pipeline, as well as for services for the technical modernization of pipe-laying vessels.
Pipes for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the port of Mukran, Germany
Image source: © AP Photo / dpa / Stefan Sauer
Nord stream 2 is already 94 percent ready. There are only 76 kilometers left to go. To avoid sanctions, Germany went to the trick and created a special Fund for the completion of the gas pipeline. Legally, the contractors will fulfill the orders of this structure, not having a direct relationship to the"Nord stream — 2".
The Americans are also going to put a lot of pressure on Turkey. The budget provides for sanctions for the acquisition and operation of Russian s-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. Late last week, the state Department released a statement from Secretary of state Mike Pompeo that the deal jeopardizes the security of American personnel and military equipment, and allows Moscow to gain access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry. The Turkish foreign Ministry threatened retaliatory measures. The s-400 is a long-standing stumbling block between Washington and Ankara. The Americans have already excluded Turkey from the program of the fifth-generation f-35 aircraft. The Pentagon fears that information from the Turkish air defense system about these new fighters will get to Moscow.
Delivery of a batch of components of the Russian s-400 air defense system to Turkey
Image source: © Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation
The Americans will continue to Finance the Eastern European allies-the Baltic States and Poland. These States are a springboard for Washington to " contain Russia." They will also allocate $ 250 million to Kiev - "within the framework of the security assistance initiative, to support the Ukrainian armed forces." Details are not specified, but, most likely, we are talking about further deliveries of armored vehicles, anti-tank missile systems, as well as small sea vessels to the armed forces of Ukraine.
Total rearmament
Of course, the US is not going to hurt myself. Of the 740 billion, the Pentagon will allocate $ 635.5 billion for basic needs. The rest will go to national security programs in the energy sector (26.6 billion) and operations abroad (69 billion). Special mention is made of the need to adopt hypersonic technologies within three years.
Almost 30 billion rubles were allocated for the modernization of the nuclear triad. These funds will be spent on the development of new communication and control systems (Nuclear Command, Control and Communications — seven billion), the program of advanced long-range bombers B-21 Raider (2.8 billion), the latest submarines with ballistic missiles under the Columbia project (4.4 billion). The air — to-ground cruise missile project with LRSO nuclear warheads will receive 474 million, new ICBMs of the GBSD program-1.5 billion.
More than $ 20 billion will be allocated for the development of missile defense systems. They will purchase sm-3 sea-based anti-missiles, aegis combat information and control system, and THAAD missile DEFENSE systems. Upgrade the patriot air defense system. Space forces have reserved 15 billion - for the further expansion of the us satellite constellation. About ten billion dollars will be spent on operations in cyberspace — both offensive and defensive.
American THAAD anti-missile system
Image source: CC BY 2.0 / U.S. Army photo by Capt. Adan Cazarez / Missile Training
The air force will receive 57 billion. The money will buy 79 f-35 fighters, 15 KC-46 tankers, 24 f/A-18 super Hornet carrier-based fighter-bombers, 52 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and a number of other vehicles. In 2021, the Navy will spend $ 32.3 billion: for the construction of the lead submarine of the new generation Columbia, a Ford-class aircraft carrier, a Virginia-class submarine, two Arleigh Burke destroyers, one FFG(X) frigate, an LPD landing ship, a tanker, as well as two large unmanned USV Large vessels.
For the ground forces, 13 billion were provided: they will purchase more than four thousand light armored vehicles, 32 multi-purpose armored vehicles, 72 amphibious combat vehicles, and also upgrade 89 Abrams tanks. Do not forget about the technologies of the future. So, for hypersonic weapons will spend 3.2 billion, for microelectronics-1.5 billion, and for artificial intelligence-841 million.
American M1A2 Abrams tank
Image source: © Photo : U.S. Army / Sgt. Leon Cook
The us military budget continues to grow and sets new records every year. It is clear that under the new President, US foreign policy is unlikely to change and become more peaceful.