Gates Likes Military's Initial Budget Cut Proposals

[unhappycamper]

Gates Likes Military's Initial Budget Cut Proposals
SAGAR MEGHANI | 08/13/10 07:24 PM | AP

SAN DIEGO — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he is pleased with the military services' initial recommendations for cutting their budgets and spending the savings on weapons modernization.

Gates called the services' cuts and reinvestment priorities ambitious and aggressive.

"Because they get to reinvest savings, they're highly motivated to make it work," the Pentagon chief said.

Gates has ordered the services and the Pentagon's agencies to find $100 billion in spending cuts and savings over the next five years.

Some of the proposed cuts have already drawn fierce opposition from members of Congress whose districts would be affected.



unhappycamper comment: Want some low-hanging fruit? You just laid down the keel for a $40 billion dollar aircraft carrier, another $5 billion dollar destroyer, another $500 million dollar LCS ship and you're still trying to make the $243 million dollar F-35 work. The almost 30 year old $100 million dollar MV-22 Osprey while sexy is unpractical in the field.