Defense & Aerospace Report DEFAERO Strategy Series [May 06, 25] 'Skinny-Budget' Preview w/ Mark Montgomery
May 6, 2025
Mark Montgomery, a retired US Navy rear admiral and senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the intricate dynamics of a proposed $1 trillion defense budget amidst significant spending cuts. He emphasizes the critical role of soft power investments in countering disinformation from Russia and China. Montgomery highlights the urgent need for enhancements in cybersecurity and naval capabilities while analyzing the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the resilience of its military officials, showcasing how budget decisions impact national security strategies.
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Reconciliation Boosts Shipbuilding
- The reconciliation package includes significant funding for shipbuilding with a mix of immediate purchases and long-term investments.
- Investments focus on manufacturing techniques and new technologies but raise concerns about lifecycle maintenance costs for future budgets.
Golden Dome's Strategic Investment
- The "Golden Dome" initiative allocates about $18 billion for space-based detection and missile defense systems.
- Half of this funding will require sustained lifecycle maintenance, pressing for increased future budgets.
Strengthen Munitions Production Capacity
- Invest in shoring up munitions production capacity to ensure the U.S. can meet defense demands.
- Co-invest with the defense industrial base to sustainably increase missile and munitions manufacturing.