Thornberry seeks $2.1B for Asia Pacific security

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) introduced a bill this week that would authorize $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2018 for spending aimed at strengthening the U.S. military posture in the Asia Pacific, including procurement of additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors.

"No one needs reminding of the escalating tensions in the Asia Pacific," he said in a statement. "It is essential that the United States reassure our allies and friends that we are committed to stability and security in that region now and in the future. One of the best ways to do that is to increase our military presence and enhance our readiness there. To do that, we need to invest in a broad range of defense capabilities and this legislation does just that."

Thornberry intends to include the stand-alone measure in the upcoming FY-18 defense authorization bill.

The measure would authorize $1 billion to improve critical munitions inventories and enhance munition capabilities and another $1 billion to procure THAAD interceptors or lower-tier air and missile defense interceptors.

The United States deployed one THAAD system to the Korean Peninsula in March in response to continued missile tests in North Korea.

The bill would also authorize $100 million for enhanced joint training and exercises in the region, and $15 million for missile defense exercises with Japan, South Korea and Australia for defense against the ballistic missile threats from North Korea.

Additionally, the bill would require a plan to maintain a forward-stationed combat aviation brigade in South Korea, along with a plan to incorporate cyber planning into joint planning exercises in the region.

Meanwhile, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) has advocated for a $7.5 billion fund, or $1.5 billion annually for five years, to increase U.S. military capabilities in the Asia Pacific.