US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Monday outlined a new vision of US defense spending as he announced the fiscal year 2010 defense budget plan that cuts funding for many major weapon programs.
"If approved, these recommendations will profoundly reform how this department does business," Gates told a press conference at Pentagon.
He said his proposal represents a "budget crafted to reshape the priorities of America's defense established."
The plan is part of the Obama administration's ongoing efforts to reshape the US military into a force better suited to unconventional wars rather than being prepared for fighting large-scale conventional wars.
Gates said one of the principal objectives of the plan is that "we must rebalance this department's programs in order to institutionalize and enhance our capabilities to fight the wars we are in today and the scenarios we are most likely to face in the years ahead, while at the same time providing a hedge against other risks and contingencies."
"In order to do this, we must reform how and what we buy, meaning a fundamental overhaul of our approach to procurement, acquisition, and contracting."
Cutting traditional programs
A number of expensive traditional programs will be terminated under the proposal, including capping purchases of F-22 fighter jets at 187 and canceling the VH-71 presidential helicopter program and a new Air Force communication satellite program.
Gates said the Defense Department would complete its contract for 183 F-22 fighters and add four more, bringing the total to 187, before stopping the purchases.
He recommends terminating the presidential helicopter program because "it runs the risk of not delivering the required capability."
Gates also recommends canceling the Air Force's Transformation Satellite Communication System program, which is intended to be a constellation of five satellites and ground stations to provide data and message services to ground forces throughout the world using laser beams.
He also calls for stopping the growth of the number of Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) at 45.
The defense secretary also proposed delays in other programs, including the CG-X next generation cruiser program as well as the amphibious ship and sea-basing programs.
He also calls for restructuring the costly missile defense program and the Army's future combat system program.
Gates also envisions to reduce the number of aircraft carriers from 11 to 10 after 2040.
