More Funding for Defense Tech? A US Perspective

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has requested a record $145 billion for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) in its fiscal year 2024 budget request. This represents a 3% increase over the previous year and is the largest RDT&E budget request in DoD history.

The increase in RDT&E funding is being driven by a number of factors, including:

• The need to develop new technologies to counter emerging threats from adversaries such as China and Russia.
• The need to modernize the US military’s aging weapons systems.
• The desire to maintain the US’s technological edge over its competitors.

The DoD’s RDT&E budget is focused on a number of key areas, including:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
• Hypersonic weapons
• Directed energy weapons
• Autonomous systems
• Space technologies
• Cybersecurity

These technologies are seen as essential to maintaining the US military’s superiority on the battlefield in the future.

Arguments for increased funding for defense tech

Proponents of increased funding for defense tech argue that it is necessary to maintain the US’s technological edge over its adversaries. They point to the fact that China and Russia are investing heavily in new military technologies, and that the US needs to keep pace in order to remain competitive.

Proponents also argue that increased funding for defense tech can help to create jobs and boost the US economy. The defense industry is a major employer in the US, and it supports a wide range of businesses, including small businesses and startups.

Arguments against increased funding for defense tech

Opponents of increased funding for defense tech argue that it is a waste of money. They point to the fact that the US already spends more on its military than any other country in the world, and that this spending is not necessary to keep the country safe.

Opponents also argue that increased funding for defense tech can lead to an arms race and increase the risk of conflict. They argue that the US should focus on diplomacy and cooperation to resolve its differences with other countries.

The debate over whether to increase funding for defense tech is likely to continue. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it is up to the US Congress to decide how much money to allocate to defense RDT&E.

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