Lieberman puts out a statement (in addition to yesterday’s letter on missile defense) hitting Gates over cuts to FCS and other modernization programs. Joe wants more troops and he wants them to have equipment, too. Obama campaigned on increasing the Army’s end strength and vowed “a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle,” but he’s now gutting the Army’s program for modern ground vehicles, slashing the Air Forces program for more fighters, and slowing the Navy’s program for a new class of carriers. He’s going after the equipment every service will need in battle.
“I agree with Secretary Gates that we must do more to support the soldiers who fight our nation’s wars, but am concerned that his proposals for the Army will not meet that goal,” Lieberman said. “We must invest in the Army to grow the force well beyond its current level of 547,400 active duty troops without cutting modernization programs. I fear that the Secretary’s proposals would force the Army to give up too much modernization for too little manpower.” “I am particularly concerned by the Secretary’s decision to cancel the Future Combat Systems ground vehicles. I will organize hearings of the Subcommittee on Airland to review the Secretary’s proposal, and believe that we should continue to develop this keystone modernization program. An investment in a stronger Army is an investment in a stronger America, and it is one that we should make.”
