AIA on Defense Spending

The Aerospace Industries Association just released a report on defense investment that, according to an AIA statement, "takes a historical look at spending in the investment accounts and the ebb and flow of spending since the 1970s. It concludes that our nation and its military members pay a large price when we decrease spending on procurement and research and development." Further, the statement reads:

Defense investment accounts not only support current operations, they also ensure that our troops will always have the tactical advantage of technological superiority, according to a new report released by AIA.

"We all recognize the need to address the nation's debt and deficit spending," said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey at a Senate Aerospace Luncheon. "On the surface, defense investments are easy reductions. But with a worldwide mission and a limited number of service members, we must make up in technological capability what we lack in numbers." . . .

"Americans can be proud that the products used by men and women in uniform are the best in the world," Blakey said. "These systems provide our military with an unparalleled battlefield advantage -- they certainly deserve no less."

That said, the report itself finds that DOD investment accounts -- "including procurement and research and development -- are often cut first when the defense budget comes under fire." Further, according to the report:

On the surface, they are the easy reductions that do not involve urgent present needs as do personnel, force structure, benefits, or operations and maintenance. But as this report shows, with a worldwide mission and in the absence of more service members, our force must be better empowered by technology. The investment accounts not only support current operations -- as we are witnessing every day -- they also provide the future capabilities needed to address threats that may emerge and ensure that our forces will always have the tactical advantage that technological superiority provides. Americans will not accept less.

The report recommends 35 percent of the budget devoted to modernization accounts, as a prudent and affordable level for supporting the force of today and the future, according to AIA.

"The U.S. defense industry remains a key strategic asset for the United States," Blakey said in the statement. "However, it is an asset that must be managed, maintained and sustained to ensure our service members are equipped to succeed under the most demanding circumstances."