Procurement: February 15, 2000

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In an annual ritual, the four military service chiefs issued their report on the new FY2001 $291 billion budget. They said that another $16 billion is needed to make up shortages in ammunition, training, maintenance, and readiness. Each year, Congress provides some of the requested money. The Air Force wants $3.5 billion, including $600 million for more precision-guided weapons, $350 million for family housing, $93 million to restore money cut from the Airborne laser, and another $125 million for munitions to be used in training. The Navy says it needs another $5.7 billion this year for more aircraft and amphibious warfare ships and 174 million for aircraft spare parts. The Army asked for $1 billion for near-term readiness (i.e., training), $250 million for building maintenance, and $4 billion to create more medium brigades without giving up other programs. The Marine Corps requires another $1.4 billion for aircraft and weapons, including $123 million to build new barracks and training areas.--Stephen V Cole