US President Donald Trump's $740.5 billion defence budget request sent to Congress includes more money for nuclear weapons.
Washington - U.S. President Donald Trump's $740.5 billion defense budget request sent to Congress on Monday includes more money for nuclear weapons and a big boost to research and development spending to prepare for future warfare.
The defense spending request contains the Pentagon's largest research and development budget in 70 years, a senior defense official said, as the military aims to build next generation capabilities to counter the growing strength of China and Russia. Within the Pentagon's competing priorities, the request for nuclear weapons modernization funds rose 18% compared to last year or $29 billion extra dollars, a second senior defense official said. Fully modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad will cost more than a trillion dollars over 30 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The funding will go to better nuclear command and control as well as delivery platforms like the Columbia Class nuclear submarine made by Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics and the certification to carry nuclear bombs aboard the stealthy F-35 jet fighter made by Lockheed Martin Co. The Pentagon's budget request includes $69 billion to fund ongoing wars and other Pentagon needs. Earmarking funds in this way helps the Defense Department avoid budget caps passed by Congress.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump defends firing key impeachment witnesses VindmanTrump also recalls his ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, just hours after Lt Col Alexander Vindman was fired
Read more »
Trump defends firing key impeachment witnesses VindmanTrump also recalls his ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, just hours after Lt Col Alexander Vindman was fired
Read more »
Busisiwe Mkhwebane explains controversial guestlist for her 50th birthday bash | IOL NewsThe public protector has come out to defend the presence of Mosebenzi Zwane at her 50th birthday party, saying there will be no conflict of interest as her office.
Read more »
From living in a backroom in Soweto, to instant multimillionaire after R114 Powerball win | IOL NewsThe 35-year-old woman, who lives in a backroom in Soweto, struck gold last week when her six number selection was the only ...
Read more »
China dismisses allegations of missing SA student Alfa Mpetsheni | IOL NewsThe Chinese government on Monday refuted widespread allegations that South African student Alfa Mpetsheni had gone missing in the vast Asian country.
Read more »
South African students are safe from coronavirus threat, says China | IOL NewsAs of Sunday night, the Chinese authorities said a total of 40,171 people had been infected with the coronavirus across China, ...
Read more »