- Army leadership submitted a proposal for increased funding to modernize drone systems and revolutionize U.S. military.
- Senators expressed concern Tuesday over the cancellation of sending thousands of troops to Europe, funding mechanisms.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll mentioned Utah data center during his appearance.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and acting Chief of Staff of the Army Christopher LaNeve testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Tuesday, pitching innovative ambitions and the motivation behind the military’s increased spending proposal, even using an in-the-works Utah data center as innovative way to do business.
“Our own bureaucracy and regulations are still holding (us) back,” said Driscoll. “Getting what soldiers need to win and making the army budget actually work for them is definitionally a bipartisan topic.”
But Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Chris Coons, D-Del., outlined their concerns for the proposal.
“$24 billion of the $36 billion the army spends on replenishing stocks … would come as a one-time slug of cash,” said McConnell.
The Kentucky senator continued, “These funds would have no protection against the short term continuing resolutions that have become the norm.”
As part of the Army’s new strategy, Driscoll discussed enhancing the Army’s “use leasing” and cited the data center in Utah as an example.
The Army’s plan for increased funds
Driscoll and LaNeve pinpointed the Army’s need for innovation, saying that the Army needed increased flexibility with spending.
One of the most notable updates the Army is trying to make is with its drone system.
The Army, according to Driscoll, is modeling its updates after Ukraine which has developed the most advanced drone system in the world.
“The Ukrainian joint operational system Delta, their modular, open system architecture and C2 (command and control) system, is absolutely incredible,” said the Army secretary.
He continued, “It fully integrates every drone, sensor and fire platform into a unified network. Our system cannot do that.”
Beyond a needed update to drone technology and training, the Army leaders detailed a need to update bases and housing for its soldiers.
“The strength of our army is only as strong as our ability to retain experienced soldiers,” LaNeve said.
Along with the updates, the leaders promised fiscal responsibility with the funds they hope to receive.
“We and everything we purchase has got to be on the right end of the cost curve,” said Driscoll. “If an $800 drone can destroy a thing very quickly, even as the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, we just can’t sustain it.”
“With your help we can ensure our Army remains the dominant land fighting force for the next 250 years,” Driscoll concluded.
Potential concerns for the budget
Numerous senators questioned Driscoll and LaNeve about potential concerns for the spending proposal.
A main concern was the request for essential funding through a reconciliation package, a method that would likely result in future funds being stalled.
Coons asked why the Army canceled the deployment of thousands of U.S. soldiers that were supposed to be stationed in Germany and Poland.
“It sends the worst possible message to Russia about our commitment, our competence, and our combat power,” said the senator.
Coons cited concerns about pivoting from the long-held partnerships the U.S. has with European countries and Taiwan.
“Guardsmen (in D.C.),” continued Coons, “are often not doing anything more urgent than picking up trash. I’d rather have them in Russia making Putin second guess his strategy.”
Coons also criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth who fired Gen. Randy George as Army chief of staff, “inexplicably” in April.
McConnell offered some praise of the Army’s leadership for learning from the developments in Ukraine, which he referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Warfare.”
“Making modest investments,” said McConnell, “in this cooperation to ensure that U.S. soldiers have access to the latest battle proven lessons and technology … seems like money well spent to me.”
Why Secretary Driscoll brought up the data center in Utah
When questioned about other developments the Army is currently working on, Driscoll mentioned a new effort to maximize utility of land.
“The American taxpayer,” he said, “has allocated to us millions of acres of land for our Army bases and we have historically underutilized them.”
Driscoll continued, “What we wanted to do was go out to the best of our private sector and say ‘what would you do on these lands?”
The recommendation they received was to invest in computational technology.
“Our first test case was a data center in Utah. … We know how important compute is going to be and is for the modern fight,” said Driscoll.