December
21, 2006: During the last fifteen years (1990-2005), the United States spent
$1.6 trillion for military procurement. That's only about ten percent less
(adjusted for inflation) than what was spent during the previous 15 years
(1975-89), which included some of the peak spending years of the Cold War.
Throughout the entire three decades, the three services got about the same percentage
of this money (Air Force-36 percent, Navy- 33 percent and Army 16- percent.)
The army is trying to get this changed, because the soldiers believe new
technology enables the army to do many jobs (with UAVs and missiles) that the
air force previously took care of. The navy also has a problem in that American
naval power is equal to all the other fleets on the planet combined. This makes
it harder to justify maintaining the fleet at its current size, and cost.
Moreover, the size of the strategic nuclear forces are much smaller, not just
because the Cold War is over, but because of disarmament treaties. So not as
many expensive nuclear subs are needed.
Change
is in the air. But when it comes to money, the air force and navy will fight
hard to hang on to their traditional shares of the Pentagon pie.
