US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
AirTran Airways has revealed plans to add Huntsville/Decatur, Alabama, to its growing route map on 27 May 2010 with services to both Baltimore-Washington International and Orlando International airports.
The roundtrip, nonstop flights will be operated with the airline’s Boeing 717s.
"Huntsville is known as the 'Rocket City' and AirTran Airways is pleased to take the residents of northern Alabama to new heights of air travel," declared Kevin Healy, AirTran’s senior vice-president of marketing and planning. "Connecting Huntsville to two of our largest operations gives residents access not only to our award-winning service and low-fares but to virtually our entire network."
AirTran highlighted that when service begins, it will be the only carrier to offer direct flights from Huntsville to Orlando and the only low-fare carrier to fly from Huntsville to Baltimore/Washington.
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.