Saturday, November 9, 2024

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Navy’s FY 2024 Budget: A Strategic Leap Towards Maritime Dominance

The Department of the Navy’s Fiscal Year 2024 President’s Budget request highlights the nation’s strategic priorities in concert with the President’s National Security Strategy and the 2022 National Defense Strategy. This budget undergirds the three pillars of national defense-integrated deterrence, campaigning, and action that creates enduring advantages. Secretary Del Toro’s guidance sounds many of the same notes, with the headed surface Navy and Marine Corps Team righting maritime dominance, instilling warfighting excellence in their culture, and forming strategic alliances for a common cause.

The CNO has continued to emphasize the need to maintain the world’s leading naval force that has formed the cornerstone of U.S. security and stability for global economics since World War II. The Commandant’s Force Design continues to shape the Marine Corps into the nation’s premier expeditionary crisis response force.

In line with Secretary Austin’s priorities, the PB24 request underlines the Department’s commitment to a ready, modernized, and capable naval force. The budget includes funding for the second Columbia-class submarine-a critical component of the nuclear triad-with delivery of the lead boat in FY28. The request fully funds ship maintenance in both private and public sectors, placing special emphasis on capacity growth and skilled labor retention at the public shipyards. Research & Development also increased significantly, with nearly a billion dollars allocated to modernize warfighting capabilities in all domains. The budget also invests nearly two billion dollars in weapons programs, investing in critical munitions, and multi-year procurement contracts.

The PB24 request contains a 5.2 percent pay raise for military and civilian personnel, expanded access to mental health care, and significant investment in preventing sexual assault and harassment.

Of these, the Department plans to purchase nine battle force ships for shipbuilding: one Columbia-class submarine; two Virginia-class submarines; two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers; two Constellation-class guided-missile frigates; one John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler; and one submarine tender. The FY 2024 budget also includes the decommissioning of 11 ships, eight of which are before their end-of-service life.

The budget funds the seventh increment of funding for the USS Enterprise (CVN 80) and the sixth increment for the USS Doris Miller (CVN 81), totaling $1.9 billion. For the Columbia-class program, the request is $5.8 billion, to cover the first of two funding increments for the second submarine, to be awarded in FY24.

The PB24 request of $17.3 billion for aircraft procurement supports the procurement of 88 aircraft, comprising 35 F-35s, 26 Multi-Engine Training Systems, 15 CH-53Ks, 5 MQ-9As, 3 MQ-25s, 2 MQ-4s, and 2 KC-130Js. The FY24 request completes procurements of the KC-130J, MQ-4C, and MQ-9A aircraft.

The Department’s RDT&E budget invests in future force capabilities throughout the conflict spectrum, including the Columbia-class ballistic submarine program; future aircraft carriers; surface and submarine vessels; unmanned systems; electromagnetic warfare; and cyberspace warfare. The budget accelerates CPS hypersonic weapon development and NLFoS for ship protection against near-term threats.

The Marine Corps RDT&E budget continues to focus on modernization and innovation, supporting Force Design 2030, including the development of MLRs; defensive missile systems; communication systems; and advanced vehicles, especially in the Indo-Pacific.

The request for the budget of FY 2024 was $6.1 billion to finance 35 military construction projects, which helps support the critical goals of the Department. These will include projects for the Active Navy. The intent of this budget is also to enhance forward presence and maritime dominance by investing in ship, aviation, and ground combat training, operation, and maintenance facilities.

The Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program pursues modernization through the renewal of dry docks, reimagining shipyard layouts, and replacement of outdated equipment. Once implemented successfully, SIOP will mean that shipyards will be ready to support current and future needs for submarine and aircraft carrier maintenance.

The Navy and Marine Corps team stands ready to deploy integrated, all-domain naval power against evolving threats to secure and protect the homeland, allies, and economic interests. The PB24 budget supports CSGs, ARGs, and aviation unit training and response to persistent and emerging threats. It funds public and private depots, global ship, air, amphibious, and cyber operations, and prioritizes critical shore investments in support of fleet readiness and maritime dominance.

Military Personnel (FY 2024): The budget funds active duty end strength of 347,000 Navy and 172,300 Marine Corps personnel, as well as Selected Reservists and Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) personnel of 57,200 Navy and 33,600 Marine Corps Selected Reserve personnel. This budget is intended to enable warfighters, to eradicate destructive behavior, build a team of teams, educate, and care for the personnel and their families. It increases resources dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual assault, mental health initiatives, and child and youth programs.

The Department’s budget request represents a strategic and collaborative approach to make the most of available resources, balancing today’s readiness, tomorrow’s modernization, and investment in the future while placing the needs of Sailors, Marines, civilians, their families, and nurturing relationships with allies and partners at the forefront.

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