Page 20 - 2020 Defence White Paper
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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
                                                                                            20)
                            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
        20)
        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.




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