Defense spending

US Budget Battle Threatens Pentagon's Nuclear Sub Program

As the Pentagon seeks to modernize its nuclear submarine fleet, it may face a financial hurdle from Congress.
The US Navy’s top priority for the moment is the Ohio Replacement SSBN. A key factor in US nuclear deterrence, the program has already sustained extensive delays, potentially affecting national security up until the year 2030.
With no time to spare, the Pentagon has included $773 million in its fiscal year 2017 budget proposal to advance the submarine program. The US Congress, however, has not yet passed the defense spending bill, and it is running out of time to do so.

"There’s not a lot of days," said Vice Adm. Joseph Mulloy, according to Breaking Defense, pointing out that the current proposal expires December 9. Speaking to Sputnik, former deputy assistant defense secretary for nuclear and missile policy Brad Roberts stressed that nuclear modernization is critical for Washington’s long-term deterrence goals.