DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1010 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1010

JUN 2 5 2018

 

Honorable Kay Granger
Chairwoman

Subcommittee on Defense
Committee on ApprOpriations
US. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Chairwoman:

The Department of Defense (DOD) objects to the proposed amendment by
Representatives Courtney and Wittman that cuts over $1 billion from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019
President?s Budget. The FY 2019 cuts disrupt multiple critical National Defense Strategy (NDS)
programs, including the carrier program and Air Force research and procurement. Combined
with the out-year cost of finishing the incrementally funded submarines. the Department would
be required to cut over $6 billion from multiple programs such as reducing the buys of Arleigh
Burke-class destroyers. oilers and fast frigates.

The FY 2019 President?s Budget request supports a robust. balanced shipbuilding
program, providing $23.7 billion for ten combat ships and eight support ships. including two
Virginia~class submarines. is committed to growing the size of the Navy. investing over
$20 billion per year across the Future Years Defense Program. Consistent with the NDS. DoD?s
request balances ship procurement with readiness and other systems to be a more lethal joint
force and meet future capabilities.

The Virginia-class submarine provides crucial capabilities to the joint warfight. The
current Navy fleet faces known shortfalls in attack submarine inventory in future years.
However, in the FY 2019 President's Budget we balanced the investment in this capability
against other critical capabilities in areas such as Space and cyber, and in emerging areas such as
autonomy and arti?cial intelligence.

The Department appreciates Congressional support for growing the Navy?s ?eet and
ensuring robust future capabilities. Working together we will ?nd solutions that make us

stronger and safer. 
cc-

The Honorable Peter J. Visclosky
Ranking Member