Rep. Akin on EFV

Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), the incoming chairman of the House Armed Services seapower and expeditionary forces subcommittee, told reporters today that he does not know “where we're going to come out as a committee” regarding the Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program, but buying at least some EFVs is a possibility.

Akin voiced concern over Defense Secretary Robert Gates' announcement last week that the Pentagon would ax the troubled program due to its high cost, but he said following his address at the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium that the Marine Corps appears to be in favor of the decision and not simply doing as told.

“We've been convinced they genuinely think it's too much money for what their budget can handle,” he said.

Akin said his panel would consider buying at least some EFVs or completely resubmitting the program “because the engineering is 20 years old at this point.”

The Marine Corps said it will completely cease production of EFVs and will issue a request for proposals soon to find a follow-on program to fill the capability. The Marines will upgrade legacy vehicles and use a mix of other existing capabilities to bridge the gap, according to Gates.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), a former Marine and member of the subcommittee, told Inside the Navy last week that members of the panel were “standing firm . . . that this is the most needed product in the United States Marine Corps.”