Press Release
☷Navy Officials Hold a Press Briefing on President Biden s Fiscal 2025 Navy Budget
U.S. Department of Defense ( By Press Release office)
Mar 15,2024
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Hey there! I ' m Lieutenant Junior Grade Luke Bienstock , the Public Affairs Officer for the Department of the Navy ' s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request . The Honorable Erik Raven , Under Secretary of the Navy , and Rear Admiral Ben Reynolds will be briefing us on the Navy ' s budget for F . Y . ' 25 . Feel free to ask questions about the budget specifically . Thanks for joining us!We ' re all working together to build a strong culture of warfighting excellence by investing in improving quality of life and service . We ' re also focusing on strategic partnerships by investing in submarines , ships , and ship maintenance , all in line with the National Defense Strategy . Our sailors and Marines are currently deployed around the world , deterring and responding to various challenges . We ' re committed to upholding international norms and keeping sea lanes open . The FY25 President ' s Budget Request is $257 . 6 billion , with a slight increase from FY24 . This budget prioritizes readiness and deployment while taking risks on future capabilities . We ' ve got investments in the industrial base , undersea capabilities , and Marine Corps force design . We slightly increased our investments in manpower to maintain strength levels and support our sailors and marines with a 4 . 5 percent pay increase and additional compensation . We ' re decreasing our funding for research and development to allocate more resources to other priorities . Military construction is decreasing compared to PB ' 24 , which is more in line with historical levels after significant investments in PB ' 24 . It ' s about a 20 percent decrease from our FY24 MilCon enactment . Operations and maintenance , on the other hand , will see a 3 . 5 percent increase to ensure our readiness and maintain a capable expeditionary force . Now let ' s move on to our investments in the industrial base and shipbuilding , followed by other procurement accounts and our investments in future warfare . We ' ll also discuss readiness and investments in our shore facilities , our people , and our efforts to enhance strategic partnerships . Our department is fully committed to expediting the delivery of necessary ships , aircraft , and weapons to our war - fighters . We ' ll achieve this by partnering with industry to develop new platforms and improve the maintenance of existing ones . We ' re investing in the submarine industrial base to meet the increased demand for submarines driven by the Columbia project , the AUKUS agreement , and the maintenance of existing submarines . This effort involves thousands of companies across all states , and we ' re allocating a total of $3 . 9 billion in FY25 and $11 . 1 billion across the fit - up for the submarine industrial base . Additionally , we ' re requesting a $3 . 3 billion FY24 supplemental to achieve the construction of two Virginia class submarines per year by FY28 . We ' re also incentivizing investment in the facilities of our U . S . shipbuilders through major surface shipbuilding programs . In terms of weapons procurement , we ' re investing $227 million in PB ' 25 to expand the capacity of Trident II , long - range anti - ship missiles , standard missiles , and Mark 48 torpedoes . This builds on our previous efforts in FY23 and pending investments in PB ' 24 . So , on the bottom part of the slide , we ' ll talk more about strengthening the foundation with the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program , or SIOP . The Navy ' s four public shipyards are really important for our national defense . The facilities and infrastructure at these shipyards are pretty old , with an average age of 61 years , and the drydocks are even older , with an average age of 107 years . That ' s like , pre - World War I old . In FY25 , we ' re gonna invest $2 . 8 billion in MilCon and restoration at our shipyards to make sure we ' re ready for the future . We ' re already seeing some good results from our previous SIOP investments , like the renovation of Drydock 4 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the contract for drydock re - replacement at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard . Moving on , we ' re also investing $407 million in our aviation depots to get more aircraft back in action . Next slide . In FY25 , the Navy is gonna buy six battle force ships , and we ' re fully funding the top defense acquisition priority , the Columbia class nuclear ballistic missile submarine . We ' re allocating $9 . 6 billion , which is like one third of our new construction budget , for the second Columbia class submarine , the USS Wisconsin , as well as future ships of the class . For attack submarines , we ' re asking for $7 . 3 billion for the Virginia class . This will get us the first Virginia Block VI submarine and kick off a multiyear procurement plan starting in FY25 . We ' re also setting aside money for two FY26 and two FY27 Virginia class ships , and material for eight future Virginia class submarines as part of the FY25 contract . In the budget , we ' re requesting $1 . 6 billion for four San Antonio class LPDs . We ' re committed to having 31 amphibious ships , and we ' re planning for two more LPDs in the future . Other ships in the plan include a medium landing ship and seven more ships across the FYDP , two Arleigh Burke class destroyers , and one Constellation class guided missile frigate . We ' re asking for $1 . 9 billion to continue funding CVNs 80 and 81 , and an additional $1 . 1 billion for the USS Harry S Truman refueling and overhaul . Currently , we have 88 ships under contract with 66 being built from previous years . As I mentioned earlier , we ' re gonna do everything we can to get these ships to our war - fighters . The budget also includes getting rid of 10 ships that are nearing the end of their service life . We ' ve made this decision based on factors like the condition of the ship , how much longer it can last , the cost and time it would take to upgrade , and its value in war - fighting . We ' ll be working closely with Congress on these divestments . Next slide . In aviation , our department is requesting $16 . 2 billion in PB ' 25 to buy 75 aircraft and also cover modernization , spares , and support equipment . Our aviation investments include 26 F - 35 Lightning Bs and Cs , 27 multi - engine trainer systems , and 19 heavy - lift CH - 53K King Stallions . We ' re also investing in unmanned platforms to improve ISR and close the kill chains . We ' ve already completed Triton and Marine Corps MQ - 9 procurement in FY24 , and we ' re allocating funds for new capabilities for these aircraft in this budget . We ' re re - phasing MQ - 25 to a better glide path and planning to procure three in FY25 , along with advanced procurement for future aircraft . Next slide . In PB ' 25 , $6 . 6 billion is allocated for weapons procurement Navy . Our weapons procurement heavily relies on enacting PV24 to make progress in this critical area . While waiting for the enactment of PV24 , we ' ll continue multi - year buys for four critical munitions and increase line capacity . For example , we ' ll be purchasing 125 standard missile 6 or SM 6 for air defense , and investing $100 million to increase production capacity to 300 per year by FY ' 28 . Other weapons include 90 LRASMs , 102 Naval Strike Missiles , 261 AMRAAMs , 182 JAGMs , and 79 Mark 48 heavy weight torpedoes . We ' re not buying any conventional prompt strike missile in FY ' 25 as we ' ve decided to rephrase that to future years for technical confidence restoration . Next slide . Continuing our commitment to forest design , the marine corp will procure 80 amphibious combat vehicles with improved lethality , equipped with 30 millimeter and 7 . 62 millimeter weapons . FY ' 25 funding will initiate long range fires with low rate initial production . This includes 8 LRF launchers and carriers , which will be the initial equipment for the long range missile batteries in FY ' 27 . Other marine corp procurement includes 123 javelin missiles , 674 joint light tactical vehicles , and 12 medium range intercept capability Emrick systems . We ' ll pause Nemesis launcher and carrier production this year while still making equivalent purchases to support the establishment of additional batteries . Next slide . The FY ' 25 research and development request reflects our department ' s focus on readiness as we take risks and invest in future capabilities . We ' re allocating $25 . 7 billion to provide our sailors and marines with the most cutting edge systems , weapons , and platforms to win decisively in an increasingly complex environment . The Navy is dedicated to maintaining the strategic deterrence mission by funding the replacement of older sea - based weapons systems . They are slowing down the development of new platforms and focusing on upgrading submarines and large surface combatants . Investments in information warfare and cyber security are also being made to ensure effective communication . The Navy is also focusing on developing unmanned programs and investing in aviation technologies . The Marine Corps is prioritizing modernization and innovation , including anti - ship missile systems and amphibious combat vehicles . In terms of readiness , the Navy is ensuring that ships and aircraft are well - trained and equipped with the necessary weapons systems . Funding is also being allocated for ship maintenance and aircraft repairs to keep the fleet operational . The Marine Corps is increasing funding for readiness to ensure they are prepared for any missions . The budget for PB ' 25 is 5 billion , which includes 39 million for the build - up of three marine regiments and the operational readiness of five infantry regiments . Other investments include unmanned aircraft , combat support systems , communication systems , vehicle maintenance , and radar systems . Shore investments are also a priority to increase fleet readiness and maintain our installations . The Navy FSRM is funded at 4 . 7 billion , while the Marine Corp FSRM has a 7 . 5 percent increase . The budget request for FY ' 25 includes projects for new platforms , shipyard improvements , safety compliance , and environmental compliance . It also prioritizes our personnel with pay raises and investments in recruiting and retention . The Marine Corps budget request is based on achievable goals and focuses on small unit leaders and skilled personnel . The budget also includes investments in quality of service initiatives . Hey folks , just wanted to let you know that we ' re working on improving conditions for our junior sailors on ships under construction or undergoing maintenance . We ' re investing in berthing barges , off - ship housing options , and better food choices . The Marine Corps is also focused on updating and maintaining barracks . We ' re inspecting all barracks to ensure they meet standards by 2030 . This budget includes investments in housing , childcare , and mental health services for all service members . We ' re also collaborating with partners like Australia and the UK to strengthen our defense capabilities . Our priority is readiness and investing in future capabilities . Thanks for listening , we ' re happy to answer any questions . MR . RAVEN: Regarding the submarine question , our focus in the F . Y . ' 25 budget is on strengthening our undersea capabilities . Q: Some lawmakers are questioning the decision to cut a certain program . Can you explain the reasoning behind that? And regarding the Tomahawk missiles , are you planning to update them to beef up your inventory?There ' s a lot of money being invested in the submarine industry . Last year , we had a program with $2 . 4 billion of investments in submarines . This year , that number has increased by over $11 billion in the budget , and there ' s also an additional $3 . 3 billion pending in Congress . This budget will fund nine out of 10 Virginia - class submarines that were projected for the future . We took out one Virginia - class submarine because we were concerned about the industry ' s ability to produce another one . However , we are still investing in advanced procurement to support the supplier base and meet future submarine requirements . Overall , this budget sets us up for success with both Virginia and Columbia - class submarines . Tony , thanks for your question about Tomahawk missiles . We have initiatives in our budget to increase industrial capacity for Tomahawks . We reopened the production line and started building new missiles instead of just re - certifying the ones we already had . We ' re also looking for ways to increase production and buy more rocket propellant . The budget is fully funded to meet our capacity goals by 2025 . To clarify what "re - certify" means , every 15 years we have to undergo a depot event for the Tomahawk missiles . This involves upgrading or changing the missile , and in this budget , we have kits to turn some of them into maritime strike Tomahawks . These upgrades ensure that the missiles remain effective . Thank you for your question . You mentioned additional costs for ship and aircraft maintenance in the Red Sea . I ' m wondering if there ' s a specific amount of money associated with those costs that isn ' t included in the current budget . Rear Admiral Reynolds: We do have $1 . 6 billion of supplemental funding for operations in the Red Sea and for refurbishing certain weapons systems . We also have a supplemental request for Ukraine . As for the timing of the DDG ( X ) , SSN ( X ) , and F/A - XX programs , we are carefully considering it in the FYDP . We prioritize readiness and the ability to fight , and we remain committed to the F/A - XX program . We have a significant amount of capability in the Indo - Pacific through investments in Project Overmatch and long - range kill chain . Staff: USNI Q: Are you doing everything you can to keep the Columbia program on track? Rear Admiral Reynolds: Yes , Columbia is our top acquisition priority and we are continuing our investments in it . We rely on the same shipyards and suppliers to support both the Columbia and Virginia programs . So , this budget has some solid investments in the submarine industry , really taking it to the next level . The Secretary of the Navy recently ordered a 45 - day review of all shipbuilding programs , not just Virginia class , but all classes of ships . We ' re still working on that and will have more updates soon . Columbia is our top priority and we have daily updates on it . We ' re closely monitoring the stress on the submarine industry , including the supply base and shipyards . We ' re putting all of this in the context of the 45 - day review , which we expect to finish soon .
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