The Obama administration asked for $9.6 billion to counter the increasing threat from North Korea and Iran.The US Department ofDefense has requested $9.6 billion inthe 2016 budget year tocounter "a maturing long-range missile threat fromNorth Korea and the potential threat fromIran," the Associated Press reports.
"The US Military remains deeply engaged aroundthe world," Pentagon said inits $585-billion defense budget proposal, citing Russian activities inUkraine, Ebola and the rise ofthe Islamic State asthe three main geopolitical challenges the US faces. The DoD also said that the agency must address both current and emerging challenges, including cyberattacks, rising China and threats tospace assets.
The Pentagons base budget has increased by7.7 percent fromlast year, reaching $534 billion, which makes it the largest inUS history, according tothe Associate Press. However, the $51-billion funding foroverseas contingency operations is a 21 percent decrease compared withthe 2015 budget year, the news agency said.
The current defense budget proposal ignores the cap of $499 billion, imposed byCongress.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama unveiled a nearly $4-trillion budget forfiscal year 2016, which must be approved byCongress totake effect.
By Sputnik News
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