The DoD's fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request includes tens of billions of dollars in
What is known
We wrote today that the Ministry of Defense andThe US Air Force will work together to ensure there is no delay in the implementation of the Sentinel program. According to preliminary estimates, the first ICBMs should take up combat duty in 2030.
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The draft budget for FY2024 provides for the allocation of$4.3 billion for research and development of the LGM-35A Sentinel. If the US Congress approves the application, this would mean an increase in funding of $700 million compared to FY2023.
Sentinel costs are part of the package in the amount$37.7 billion that the Department of Defense wants to spend on modernizing nuclear forces and infrastructure across the board. Compared to FY2023, the amount will increase by approximately $3.3 billion.
This investment ensures that every partnuclear triad will be upgraded. Congress highly appreciates the Sentinel project amid the modernization of China's nuclear forces. In winter, it became known that the Chinese army already has more launchers for ICBMs than the United States.
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In addition, the Pentagon plans to invest $7$6.2 billion for the recapitalization of the nuclear command and communications architecture, $6.2 billion for the Columbia-class strategic missile cruiser project, $5.3 billion for the B-21 Raider nuclear bomber program, and approximately $1 billion for the LRSO nuclear cruise missile. Also, the US Department of Defense will allocate almost $500 million to extend the life of Trident II (D5) ballistic missiles.