The Department of Defense does not foresee significant reductions in global deployment of U.S. military personnel or equipment, or in the military's readiness to engage in combat over the next 15 years. However, the Pentagon plans to streamline its business practices through reducing, centralizing and privatizing many support functions. 

In addition, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative will continue the job of decommissioning and closing many of the bases, depots and other military facilities. According to DoD, the U.S. military currently maintains some 20-percent more bases than neccesary.

Secretary of Defense nominee Donald Rumsfeld, in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated his support for rapid deployment of the National Missile Defense system. "Effective missile defense -- not only homeland defense but also the ability to defend U.S. allies abroad and our friends -- must be achieved in the most cost-effective manner that modern technology offers," Rumsfeld said in his opening statement.

President-Elect Bush has stated that he plans to press for deployment of the National Missile Defense system as soon as possible despite bitter opposition from Russia and China.

Comparative defense funding levels
Operating under current DoD policy, the U.S. will devote from $245-$330 billion per year for defense over the next 15 years.

Total combined annual defense spending of the countries identified as potential threats to the U.S. (Russia, China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, and Cuba) is $130 billion.

Total combined annual defense spending of major U.S. allies, including the 18 NATO countries and Japan is $240 billion.

Defense Under Bush
New Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stresses the importance of developing systems to protect the U.S. and its allies against missile attack, threats to communications satellites and computer systems, and terrorism both in the U.S. and abroad.

In his confirmation hearings, Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he would complete the National Missile Defense System and modernize existing Cold War-era technology to face developing threats.

"Effective missile defense -- not only homeland defense but also the ability to defend U.S. allies abroad and our friends -- must be achieved in the most cost-effective manner that modern technology offers," stated now Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld in his opening statement to Senators.

To which Rumsfeld added, "We must develop the capabilities to defend against missiles, terrorism and newer threats against our space assets and information systems. The American people, our forces abroad and our friends and allies must be protected against the threats with which modern technology and its proliferation confront us..."

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