The United States (US) will boost its defense budget to fight China and Russia. In the fiscal year 2023, President Joe Biden’s proposed Pentagon budget includes US$813 billion or around Rp. 11,674 trillion (assuming Rp. 14,350/US$).
The amount is a 4% increase from the US$31 billion (Rp445 trillion) spending package signed into law in early March 2022. The Biden administration’s defense budget remains focused on China as a key strategic challenge as well as on strengthening European security given the threat posed by a Russian attack on Ukraine.
“If you look thoroughly at their capabilities, their economy, China remains our most challenging strategic threat. That’s what strategy says, that’s what the budget says,” a senior defense official said ahead of the budget release. 30/3/2022).
In fiscal 2022 approved last month, Congress passed an additional $13.6 billion to provide security assistance and help supply Ukraine with weapons. Pentagon chief financial officer Michael McCord on Monday said a new addition to Ukraine is likely to be out later this year.
