Polish ally soldiers conduct a security halt with 3rd Infantry Division soldiers at a checkpoint. (Sgt. Raymundo Prado/Army)Nearly 12,000 as soon as is feasible, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday, but the ones who will be may be called up for .Under the plan, troop levels in Germany would drop from 36,000 to just over 24,000, Defense Secretary Esper told reporters, with 5,600 of those re-positioned to other European countries and the remainder shifting to U.S. bases to be determined.“I want to note that this plan is subject to, and likely will, change to some degree as it evolves over...…Polish ally soldiers conduct a security halt with 3rd Infantry Division soldiers at a checkpoint. (Sgt. Raymundo Prado/Army)Nearly 12,000 as soon as is feasible, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday, but the ones who will be may be called up for .Under the plan, troop levels in Germany would drop from 36,000 to just over 24,000, Defense Secretary Esper told reporters, with 5,600 of those re-positioned to other European countries and the remainder shifting to U.S. bases to be determined.“I want to note that this plan is subject to, and likely will, change to some degree as it evolves over...WW…

The first installment of President Joe Biden’s budget plan contained only top-line discretionary spending numbers. (Alex Brandon/AP)WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2022 budget request asks for $753 billion in national security funding, an increase of 1.6 percent that includes $715 billion for the Defense Department.The request, rolled out Friday, amounts to a slight decrease for the Pentagon when adjusted for inflation, and it’s well shy of the Trump administration’s projected $722 billion request for FY22. The proposal would also end the off-budget funding pool known the...…The first installment of President Joe Biden’s budget plan contained only top-line discretionary spending numbers. (Alex Brandon/AP)WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2022 budget request asks for $753 billion in national security funding, an increase of 1.6 percent that includes $715 billion for the Defense Department.The request, rolled out Friday, amounts to a slight decrease for the Pentagon when adjusted for inflation, and it’s well shy of the Trump administration’s projected $722 billion request for FY22. The proposal would also end the off-budget funding pool known the...WW…

President Joe Biden, center, and Vice President Kamala Harris, left, walk with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, right, at the Pentagon on Feb. 10, 2021. (Alex Brandon/AP)WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced at the Pentagon a review of how the military is postured to deter China in the Pacific region.Biden, who was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris as he made his since taking office, said the review will help “chart a strong path forward on China-related matters.”“It will require a whole-of-government efforts, bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and strong alliances...…President Joe Biden, center, and Vice President Kamala Harris, left, walk with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, right, at the Pentagon on Feb. 10, 2021. (Alex Brandon/AP)WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced at the Pentagon a review of how the military is postured to deter China in the Pacific region.Biden, who was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris as he made his since taking office, said the review will help “chart a strong path forward on China-related matters.”“It will require a whole-of-government efforts, bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and strong alliances...WW…

WASHINGTON — The decision by Congress to raise the industrial base job in the Pentagon hierarchy will help prioritize key issues for the department, but questions remain about the structure of the office, according to analysts. As part of the 2021 , the position of deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy will be changed to assistant secretary of defense. The new role makes it the 61st job at the department to , a reflection of importance Congress is now putting on a role that has historically stayed under the radar. The industrial policy job was an assistant secretary of...…WASHINGTON — The decision by Congress to raise the industrial base job in the Pentagon hierarchy will help prioritize key issues for the department, but questions remain about the structure of the office, according to analysts. As part of the 2021 , the position of deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy will be changed to assistant secretary of defense. The new role makes it the 61st job at the department to , a reflection of importance Congress is now putting on a role that has historically stayed under the radar. The industrial policy job was an assistant secretary of...WW…

(Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan/U.S. Air Force)WASHINGTON — As part of a broader move to boost the 5G industry in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 8 began auctioning a portion of C-band electromagnetic spectrum, a move the committee’s chairman, Ajit Pai, as “a big day for American consumers and U.S. leadership in 5G.”But, in the weeks leading up to the auction, more than a dozen commercial aviation groups warned the sale could, as one study put it, lead to with the potential for “multiple fatalities.”At the core of the concerns are radar altimeters, a critical...…(Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan/U.S. Air Force)WASHINGTON — As part of a broader move to boost the 5G industry in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 8 began auctioning a portion of C-band electromagnetic spectrum, a move the committee’s chairman, Ajit Pai, as “a big day for American consumers and U.S. leadership in 5G.”But, in the weeks leading up to the auction, more than a dozen commercial aviation groups warned the sale could, as one study put it, lead to with the potential for “multiple fatalities.”At the core of the concerns are radar altimeters, a critical...WW…

Ships from Destroyer Squadron transit the Pacific Ocean in January. The Trump administration's buildup is paid for by mechanisms that have proven unlikely to materialize, experts told Defense News. (MC3 Nicholas Huynh/U.S. Navy)WASHINGTON — If the Trump administration had its way, it would , and to pay for a major increase in shipbuilding, according to documents released by the Department of Defense and the White House this week.However, major questions remain about the plan to grow the Navy’s strength, not the least of which is whether the incoming administration of will follow through or...…Ships from Destroyer Squadron transit the Pacific Ocean in January. The Trump administration's buildup is paid for by mechanisms that have proven unlikely to materialize, experts told Defense News. (MC3 Nicholas Huynh/U.S. Navy)WASHINGTON — If the Trump administration had its way, it would , and to pay for a major increase in shipbuilding, according to documents released by the Department of Defense and the White House this week.However, major questions remain about the plan to grow the Navy’s strength, not the least of which is whether the incoming administration of will follow through or...WW…

The Pentagon has completed its third audit, which was impacted by COVID-19. (Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier/U.S. Air Force)WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Defense failed to achieve a clean audit, but officials are urging patience for what is expected to be a long-term effort.The results of the Pentagon’s third-ever audit added another clean organization to its list, which represents a clear win, according to Thomas Harker, the . But he also stressed that it would be years before the Pentagon can truly say it has passed its audit cleanly.“We have been clear that this is a journey that...…The Pentagon has completed its third audit, which was impacted by COVID-19. (Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier/U.S. Air Force)WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Defense failed to achieve a clean audit, but officials are urging patience for what is expected to be a long-term effort.The results of the Pentagon’s third-ever audit added another clean organization to its list, which represents a clear win, according to Thomas Harker, the . But he also stressed that it would be years before the Pentagon can truly say it has passed its audit cleanly.“We have been clear that this is a journey that...WW…

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s upcoming recommendation for a future Navy is expected to call for a significant increase in the , with officials discussing a fleet as large as 530 hulls, according to documents obtained by Defense News. Supporting documents to the forthcoming Future Navy Force Study reviewed by Defense News show the with but fewer aircraft carriers and large surface combatants. Instead, the fleet would include more small surface combatants, unmanned ships and submarines and an expanded logistics force. Two groups commissioned by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to design what a...…WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s upcoming recommendation for a future Navy is expected to call for a significant increase in the , with officials discussing a fleet as large as 530 hulls, according to documents obtained by Defense News. Supporting documents to the forthcoming Future Navy Force Study reviewed by Defense News show the with but fewer aircraft carriers and large surface combatants. Instead, the fleet would include more small surface combatants, unmanned ships and submarines and an expanded logistics force. Two groups commissioned by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to design what a...WW…

Chile looks to update its F-16 fighters. (Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook/Air Force)Updated at 6:35 PM EST to include information on the number of planes being upgraded.WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has cleared Chile to purchase modernization upgrades for its F-16 fleet, with a potential $634 million price tag.Chile currently operates 44 F-16s. That includes 10 Block 50 models purchased in the early 2000s, as well as 36 older models bought second-hand from the Netherlands. Reports that Chile would look to upgrade their existing F-16 fleet in 2017, but final details had not been made...…Chile looks to update its F-16 fighters. (Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook/Air Force)Updated at 6:35 PM EST to include information on the number of planes being upgraded.WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has cleared Chile to purchase modernization upgrades for its F-16 fleet, with a potential $634 million price tag.Chile currently operates 44 F-16s. That includes 10 Block 50 models purchased in the early 2000s, as well as 36 older models bought second-hand from the Netherlands. Reports that Chile would look to upgrade their existing F-16 fleet in 2017, but final details had not been made...WW…

Visitors walk by U.S. equipment on display at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget on June 21, 2017. (Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty Images)WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s top weapons acquisition official on Thursday called for another review of what defense technology is , in an attempt to ensure the United States remains a defense technology provider of choice for other nations.Speaking at an event hosted by the Reagan Foundation, Ellen Lord said she has in recent months become “passionate” about .“In the next six months, I very much hope to open the envelope, particularly on some of the...…Visitors walk by U.S. equipment on display at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget on June 21, 2017. (Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty Images)WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s top weapons acquisition official on Thursday called for another review of what defense technology is , in an attempt to ensure the United States remains a defense technology provider of choice for other nations.Speaking at an event hosted by the Reagan Foundation, Ellen Lord said she has in recent months become “passionate” about .“In the next six months, I very much hope to open the envelope, particularly on some of the...WW…