The military budget seems to be relatively high, and the expenses on the army and weapons do not justify themselves. There is no apparent reason or need to spend the current amount of taxpayers’ money on that field. Instead, the budget could be decreased, and the finances might be redistributed and used to cover more urgent questions. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the solutions to the high cost of the military and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
In order to cut the expenses, it is also necessary to decrease the number of soldiers, weapons, and transport. If the size of the army and equipment stays the same, then there is no possibility to limit the spending by maintaining the initial scale of the military aspects (Illustrative “Options for National Defense Under a Smaller Defense Budget”). Likewise, it is reasonable to buy fewer weapons or prioritize the cheaper options. Moreover, the army’s equipment can require less budget to keep it in the working conditions.
Although those strategies have an opportunity to significantly cut the current military budget and succeed in lowering the spending, there are some complications regarding those approaches. National Security Strategy (NSS) may not approve the decline in military spending, or the decision will not meet its requirements (Illustrative “Options for National Defense Under a Smaller Defense Budget”). However, if the goals of the NSS are changed or reconsidered, then implementing the solutions will be much easier, and as an advantage, the money will be spent in other spheres that need it more.
Overall, purchasing fewer or cheaper weapons cuts the maintenance expenses on the equipment that the army already has, and decreasing the army’s size will allow lowering the spending. The positive side of it is that there will be no excessive number of soldiers and guns that require additional costs. However, NSS may create an obstacle in decreasing the budget, and ideas will be tough to implement, but if they change their objectives, it becomes possible.
Reference
Illustrative Options for National Defense Under a Smaller Defense Budget. Congressional Budget Office.