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.
The European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) has called on the European Commission to investigate what it sees as state aid cases concerning SAS, Malev, Spanair, and CSA.
“Although exposed to many of the same cost pressures as their legacy competitors, low-fares airlines have sought no assistance from states,” emphasised ELFAA secretary-general, John Hanlon. “This is why we are looking to the Commission to ensure a level playing field by taking prompt and effective action to eliminate the serious distortions of competition, which result from state aid to ailing carriers.”
ELFAA’s plea is its second such call to the European Commission on this issue in five months. The Association says it remains unclear whether any of the requested investigations have yet been launched
Since sending the earlier ELFAA letter of complaint, further state aid has been extended to SAS, Spanair and Malev. “Unsurprisingly,” says ELFAA, “given the unchecked actions of other states, the Czech Republic has made available a loan of €94 million to CSA”.
“ELFAA has calculated that a combined total of €1.16 billion is being wasted by these governments in propping up these broken business models,” added Hanlon. “This is a scandalous waste of public money at a time when Europe's economies can ill afford such largesse.
“ELFAA hopes that these cases will be the subject of swift and thorough investigations and that such aid will be repaid if it is found to be in contravention of EU state aid rules,” Hanlon concluded.
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.