NAVSEA held a solemn ceremony on 10 April 2024 in remembrance of the 129 crewmembers of USS Thresher (SSN 593) who lost their lives 61 years ago. It was a ceremony in memory of 16 officers, 96 enlisted Sailors, and 17 civilian technicians whose lives were lost in that tragic submarine catastrophe.
Also in naval news, the USS Annapolis conducted a historic port visit to HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia, on 11 March 2024. This is the second visit by a U.S. fast-attack submarine to the Australian base since the announcement of the AUKUS alliance, highlighting growing relations among the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Navy will commission its newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), on October 14, 2023. The commissioning ceremony in honor of the future USS Hyman G. Rickover is scheduled to take place at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, and once more highlights the continuous modernization effort being made within the Navy.
On the broader defense front, the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, announced the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. The secretary emphasized that from a strategic perspective, this budget is going to support integrated deterrence and modernize the Joint Forces. With a total of $773 billion, the budget request looks to enhance U.S. military capabilities in air, sea, and land power, as well as in modern, higher-end technology areas such as cyber, space, and artificial intelligence.
He said that nearly $56.5 billion was set for air power platforms and systems, while over $40.8 billion was for sea power, with more than nine new battle force ships requested to be modernized. Furthermore, nearly $12.6 billion would be used to modernize Army and Marine Corps fighting vehicles. Notably, the budget requests more than $130.1 billion for research and development to sharpen readiness in advanced technology.
It also funds the modernization of the nuclear triad to ensure a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent. Notable investments include $6.3 billion for the COLUMBIA Class Ballistic Missile Submarine, $5 billion for the B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber, and $3.6 billion for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.
On the personnel side, it provides for a 4.6-percent pay raise in military and civilian personnel, which reflects this administration’s commitment to taking care of its workforce. It includes $479 million to resource the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and investments in affordable child care for both military and civilians.
On top of these, the FY 2023 Defense Budget expresses a commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in the world through U.S. commitments against the rising threats of nations like China and Russia and the challenges posed by climate change. Of course, this includes funding $6.1 billion for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command through the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and $4.2 billion for the U.S. European Command through the European Deterrence Initiative, including $300 million in assistance to Ukraine.
The bottom line of the budget is a strategic readiness, modernization, and service member and family well-being investment plan ensuring the continued strength and power of the United States military in an ever-changing security environment.