U.S. War Fighting
Readiness If you thought the U.S. Military's performance in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf
War was impressive, consider this: Under current Defense Department policy, the
U.S. Military maintains readiness to fight two wars -- considered "major
regional wars" -- the size of the Gulf War simultaneously in vastly
separated regions of the world. In addition, Pentagon planners strive for the
capability to win such regional wars in as little half the seven months devoted
to the Gulf War. This readiness is, of course, in addition to a readiness to go
to combat in contingency and peacekeeping roles.
Conventional
Weapons
Speaking of the Gulf War, those laser-guided and other "smart" weapons
were amazing. Yet, the U.S. Fiscal Year 2001 defense budget allocates over $100
billion for research, development and procurement of even more advanced weapons
systems. Critics of current U.S. defense policy argue that existing weapons
systems are more than adequate to deal with potential threats for at least the
next 15 years.
The
National Missile Defense (NMD) System
As arguments over the benefits of a land-based versus sea-based system, versus
the very need for any such system continue, DoD projects an initial,
20-interceptor missile defense system could be operational by 2005. Costs are
expected to run about $2 billion per year through 2005 and about $5 billion per
year through 2010, when up to 80 interceptors are projected to be operational.
Rapid development of nuclear-armed missile capability by countries considered to
be threats could hasten development of the NMD.
Nuclear
Weapons
The U.S. currently reports a nuclear force of 7,000 warheads capable of
delivery. Russia claims to have 6,000 but U.S. intelligence suggests the actual
number is far lower. Under the 1993 START-II treaty, both countries are to
reduce their nuclear force to no more than 3500 warheads. The U.S. is currently
assisting Russia in eliminating,
transporting and storing their excess stockpiles of nuclear weapons at a cost
of some $475 million per year. Russian President Putin has committed to
having the total Russian nuclear force reduced to no more than 1500 operational
warheads. Economic challenges faced by the country have basically halted Russian
military development.
Potential
Threats
From Chapter 5 of
the Defense Department's Annual Report to Congress for 2000: "As potential
regional aggressors expand their technological capabilities and modify their
doctrine, they will pose more lethal threats to military operations. The
proliferation of modern defense technologies means that U.S. forces must
maintain a substantial advantage over potential adversaries to ensure quick and
decisive victory with minimum casualties. U.S. forces simultaneously must be
prepared to operate in the face of asymmetric threats, such as the use of
nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons, terrorism, and information
warfare."
Countries
most often listed by DoD as posing current threats to the U.S. include: Russia,
China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, and Cuba.
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