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.
Pemco World Air Services has signed an agreement with JetBlue Airways to upgrade the seats on the carrier’s 110-strong Airbus A320 fleet and has had its existing contract to provide airframe heavy maintenance for the fleet extended.
All work is taking place at Pemco’s 150,000 sq ft facility in Tampa, Florida, where the MRO provider specialises in all levels of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including ‘A’ to ‘D; checks, interiors, avionics and structural modifications. The company’s structures capability includes durability and damage tolerance analysis, stress analysis, structural repair development, corrosion repair and fatigue analysis.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our partnership with JetBlue Airways and to contribute to their success as a major US airline,” remarked Pemco CEO Wake Smith. The company’s president Kevin Casey added, “JetBlue and Pemco’s Tampa base are a particularly good fit and we are delighted by JetBlue’s confidence in and commitment to Pemco. Our operations people work diligently to achieve superlative performance, and JetBlue’s endorsement as their top-tier supplier for 2010 heavy maintenance is gratifying.”
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.