Fiscal problems posing challenge to national security: US Defence Secretary

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has urged the Congress to pass a balanced deficit reduction plan, noting that cutting on defence budget due to fiscal problems is posing a serious challenge to national security.

“This fiscal uncertainty has become a serious threat to national security. Congress must pass a balanced deficit reduction plan, de-trigger sequester, and pass appropriations bills for financial year 2013,” Panetta said.

Preventive measures

Panetta also announced a slew of preventive measures to minimise the adverse effects of substantial budgetary cuts on America’s armed forces.

“We have a vital mission to perform, one that the American people expect and that they are entitled to, which to protect their safety and to protect our national security. Congress must be a partner in that mission. I’d love to be able to do this alone, but I can’t,” he said.

Budget risk

Noting that the Department of Defence has an obligation to protect this country, Panetta said he has asked the military services and other components to immediately begin implementing prudent measures that will help mitigate the budget risk.

“For now, I’ve made clear that these actions must be reversible to the extent feasible and must minimise harmful effects on readiness. But we really have no choice but to prepare for the worst,” he said.

Although this intensive planning effort will try to ensure that the country’s military is prepared to accomplish its core missions, it cannot fully offset the harm that would result from sequestration, Panetta noted.

“If you take the total of all these cuts, we’re looking at 19 to 20 per cent reduction in the base budget operating dollars for active units, including what looks like a cut of almost 30 per cent for the Army. The net result would be some very sharp cutbacks in training for all units that are not deploying to Afghanistan,” he said.

“You know, we’re going to try to protect not only the units that are in Afghanistan, but those that are about to deploy to Afghanistan,” Panetta said.

General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he is very concerned that the elected leaders were unable to set aside sequestration during the last Congress.

“Postponing sequestration doesn’t prevent it. It just prolongs the uncertainty for our force and for our military families. As I’ve said before, sequestration is a self-inflicted wound on national security. It’s an irresponsible way to manage our nation’s defence,” he said.

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