The Navy has requested $92.9 million to upgrade the missiles it is spending to defend against Houthi attacks, more than the Biden administration’s fiscal year 2025 budget request, according to a report submitted to Congress on Monday.
At this point, the naval power of the Red Sea was announcement There are almost daily incidents of Houthi drones and anti-ship missiles targeting merchant ships and warships, often using missiles known as . Standard Missile (SM) 2. The Navy’s unfunded priority list shows how quickly the U.S. is spending weapons, with additional funding to clear the backlog of older SM-2s that need recertification before they can be used in combat. I’m looking for it. according to Go to the attached report.
The Navy maintains an inventory of SM-2 Block III and Block IIIA/B weapons, but they are “noncombat-ready” until recertified, the report said. The additional funding is “to maximize capabilities and more quickly replenish combat use in FY25.” (Related: Amid China Threat, Indo-Pacific Command Requests a Staggering Budget of More than $11 Billion, More Than Biden Budget Request)
“The Navy continues to defend the international sea lanes of merchant shipping in the Red Sea using standard missiles against unmanned aircraft systems, land-attack missiles, and anti-ship ballistic missiles,” the justification reads.
The president’s fiscal year 2024 budget included $157 million for standard missile maintenance, while the fiscal year 2025 budget requested an additional $134 million.
SM-2 recertification priorities may change “based on the duration and nature of the conflict in the Red Sea or other areas of responsibility,” the report notes.
The outgoing U.S. military commander in the Pacific voiced concerns Wednesday about the cost of shooting down Houthi weapons. Many of the expensive weapons used to counter Houthi attacks could be used in the Pacific theater of potential conflict with China, and the cost-benefit ratio is lower than the U.S. That’s not an advantage, Adm. John Aquilino told the House Armed Services Committee.
“The missiles that come out of those destroyers and those SM-2s are stationed in my theater, on my destroyers,” he said.
“We need to make sure that the capabilities that I have identified are delivered at the right time, and we need to accelerate the technology that will get us back to the right place,” he said in terms of cost. Ta.
Red Sea Update
Between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on March 5, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile and a one-way attack drone fired from areas controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Destroyed 3 aircraft systems. Yemen… pic.twitter.com/MtzCKu9YlA
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 5, 2024
Overall, the Navy has raised a $2.2 billion funding wish list in hopes of filling gaps created by Red Sea operations and several continuing resolutions that have delayed investments the Navy believes are needed in the submarine industry. submitted, the report shows.
The $2.2 billion would supplement, not replace, the $257.6 billion included in the Biden administration’s budget request.
But Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti said in the report’s foreword that officials expect Congress to pass a fiscal year 2024 budget and an additional $105 billion national security request submitted by President Joe Biden. He noted that he has created a fiscal year 2025 budget for the Navy. October.
The proposed supplement provides $3.3 billion for the undersea industrial base. If it doesn’t pass, the Navy said it will need $403 million to increase its 2025 budget to match the additional request.
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