Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is reportedly planning on shrinking the U.S. military to a size not seen since before World War II. It’s the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that the Pentagon has suggested pulling back on military strength.
The plan is expected to be officially released on Monday, but sources told the New York Times about it on Sunday. It is a response to government austerity measures and the hopes of ending two wars. The sources said that the military would be able to fight enemies, but not start another long-term occupation.
UPI notes that Hagel’s budget will reportedly include cutting an entire Air Force fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. These were designed in the 1970s to fight Soviet tanks, but the Pentagon believes that they are outdated for today’s warfare.
“You have to always keep your institution prepared, but you can’t carry a large land-war Defense Department when there is no large land war,” a senior Pentagon official told the Times.
The changes do fit within the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by President Barack Obama and Congress that would cap Pentagon spending at $496 billion for the 2015 fiscal year. Still, the budget will have to be approved by Congress.
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