Editorial | US military spending way out of proportion
- Instead of boosting its defence budget, America would be better served by scaling back and reallocating funds to pressing priorities such as health, education, infrastructure and climate change
The United States is arguably the most secure country on Earth, with friendly nations to the north and south and great oceans isolating it from its claimed biggest rivals, China and Russia. But superpower status demands shows of strength and that has driven military budget increases that if approved, will push spending for fiscal 2021 to US$740 billion, more than one-third of the global total.
In addition to many of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, warships and weapons, Washington has thousands of nuclear missiles and about 800 military bases in 70 countries. Still, that is not seen as enough; Secretary of Defence Mark Esper believes tens of billions more need to be allocated to upgrading the navy’s capabilities to counter supposed threats, particularly from Beijing.
China’s military modernisation, including development of a large blue-water navy and shore-based, long-range, anti-ship missile capabilities, has sparked a Pacific arms race with the US. But the latest Chinese defence budget of US$178.2 billion is still a fraction of that of the US, and almost US$30 billion below the US$207 billion requested by the American navy alone for fiscal 2021.
Esper recently told the think tank Rand of “game-changing plans” for his country’s naval forces to confront China that included construction of dozens of new autonomous and unmanned ships, submarines and aircraft. The number of vessels would be boosted to more than 355 from the present 293 in a claimed catch-up to the 350 China is estimated to have in its fleet.
He said the aim was to create a fleet more able to survive a high-intensity conflict, better project American power and deliver precision strikes at long distances. The idea would be worthy were the US threatened, but that is not the case; Beijing’s military modernisation is necessary to protect territory, sovereignty and interests as China is now the world’s second-largest economy.
The US plans are being driven by fear of losing dominance. America’s military budget is overblown and out of proportion to needs. Instead of boosting spending and military capabilities, the US would be better served by scaling back and reallocating funds to pressing priorities such as health, education, infrastructure and climate change.
