Page 20 - 2020 Defence White Paper

The US Army reduced its end-strength from the current 487,500 to 480,000 and
approved and compiled the budget for purchasing 165 tactical and multipurpose
vehicles and M1 tanks, 48 AH-64E helicopters, 98 UH-60 helicopters, and 53
Paladin self-propelled artillery. The US Navy increased its end-strength by 5,100
from its current 335,400, and approved the force enhancement projects to procure
18 vessels including 2 Virginia-class submarines, 3 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers,
and 1 new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier. The US Air Force saw an addition
of 3,700 to its 329,100 end-strength and the budget for acquisition and performance
improvement of existing fighters such as the F-35 and F/A-18 was compiled as
planned. Force enhancements including the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker were also
approved.
In addition, with an aim to strengthen its nuclear capabilities, the NDAA
compiled the budget for ground-based strategic missiles, long-range cruise missiles,
Colombian-class submarines, and B-21 bombers while emphasizing research on
new technologies such as space-based ballistic-missile interception system and on
strengthening homeland defense capability.
Furthermore, following the 2019 proposal of limiting the reduction of USFK’s
troop level to below 22,000, the 2020 NDAA prescribed an obligation on the US
Secretary of Defense to verify that: (a) the reduction of the USFK troop level to
below 28,500 is in accordance with US security interests; (b) such reduction does
not impede the security of allies in the region; and (c) appropriate discussion were
carried out with allies including ROK and Japan. Meanwhile, ROK and the US are
evaluating the role of the USFK through the annual Security Consultative Meeting

(SCM) and are continuing to confirm the US commitment to defend the ROK.
The US is also continuing to strive to strengthen its security posture in space and
cyberspace, and through the NDAA has mandated the Department of Defense to
submit annual reports to Congress on cyber attacks and intrusions by Russia, Iran,
North Korea and China. As seen by the inclusion of a new provision establishing
a senior level position to coordinate and oversee the overall cyber policy of the
Department, the US is continuing to expand its cyber capability efforts. In addition,
the US is accelerating efforts to maintain a comparative advantage in the space
domain, and the creation of the Space Force as the sixth US military service force
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is a result of such effort.
Meanwhile, as changes in the US security policy are expected with the inauguration
of the Biden administration in January 2021, close cooperation between ROK and
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Army, Navy, Air Force, US defense authorities is required to manage all alliance issues in a direction that
Marine Corps, Coast
Guard, and Space Force strengthens the combined defense posture.

18 2020 Defense White Paper