Which major defence programs will be delayed by the budget constraints?

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Major Defence Programs Facing Delays Due to Budget Constraints

President Biden's proposed US$895 billion national security budget for the upcoming fiscal year, representing a modest 1 per cent increase over the previous year, necessitates a slowdown in several key defence programs. This constrained budget, a result of a mid-2023 two-year budget agreement, will impact the procurement of advanced weaponry and the retirement of older assets. The Pentagon's allocated share of this budget is projected to be around US$850 billion.
F-35 Jet Procurement and Guam Air Defences Affected

A significant reduction of US$30 billion in the Pentagon's funding directly curtails the planned acquisition of Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jets. The order for these advanced aircraft is expected to fall below 70 units, a decrease from an anticipated 83, translating to an estimated US$1.6 billion reduction in spending on these platforms. Concurrently, air defence systems designated for Guam will also experience limitations due to these budgetary restrictions.
Naval Shipbuilding Schedules Adjusted

The constraints imposed by the budget cap will lead to delays in the construction of major naval assets. Orders for new aircraft carriers built by Huntington Ingalls Industries will be slowed. Furthermore, the procurement of Virginia-class submarines, a joint venture between Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics, will also face postponed schedules.
Retirement of Older Weaponry and Programmatic Delays

Beyond impacting new procurements, the Pentagon intends to manage costs by retiring older, more expensive-to-operate weaponry, including ships and aircraft. These cost-saving measures, coupled with the overall budget limitations, contribute to a broader pattern of programmatic delays across various defence initiatives. The reduced funding limits the ability to accelerate the rebuilding of weapons stocks that have been depleted by ongoing conflicts.

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Which major defence programs will be delayed by the budget constraints?

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