The US’s proposed 2024 defence budget, if materialised, will be the highest in its history. The White House stated, on Thursday, March 9th, that the defence budget would increase to a staggering USD 842bn, which is buttressed by a press release from the Department of Defense (DOD).
Lloyd J Austin III, the US secretary of defence, said, “The Fiscal Year 2024 President’s budget request, totalling USD 842bn, is USD 26bn more than the current FY 2023 enacted level and nearly USD 100bn higher than FY 2022 (sic).”
The US’s proposed 2024 defence budget aimed at China?
Highlighting the intent to outcompete the chief geo-political bete noire People’s Republic of China (PRC), the US’s proposed 2024 defence budget covered several key areas such as building strong ties with the Pacific island nations [Free Associated States (FAS)], deepening alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting integrated deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and globally.
Continuation of the intervention in Ukraine?
The statement also showed that the US’s proposed 2024 defence budget has the intent to intervene in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s special military operation.
Nuclear overhaul?
The US’s proposed 2024 defence budget pointed out a potential programme for the overhaul of the nuclear arsenal and the concerning infrastructure not only in the US but also in its allied countries. The budget allocation for the US termed safe and secure nuclear programme is $60bn.
The statement includes, inter alia, keeping a focus on maintaining robust deterrence against the US-termed persistent threats from China, Russia, Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and unwavering support to the deposed Afghan allies of the US.
Higher than that of the other countries combined
The allocation of this USD 842bn as the US’s proposed 2024 defence budget has raised many eyebrows around the world. It’s not only the highest defence budget in the country but also the highest in the world.
Notably, the 2023 defence budgets of China and Russia, which the US considers its chief adversaries, are estimated to be USD 225bn and USD 84bn respectively. In a country like India, which has been a neutral player in the global geopolitical tug-of-war, the total defence budget for the financial year 2023-24 is around USD 78bn.
Such a staggering difference between the US’s proposed 2024 defence budget and those it considers its principal security threats raises questions on its possible impacts on the world and how global peace and stability may be jeopardised.
