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Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel 'to downsize US Army' Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel unveils plans to downsize US Army
(34 minutes later)
The Pentagon is reportedly about to unveil plans to shrink the nation's army to its smallest size since before World War Two, in a cost-cutting drive. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has unveiled plans to shrink the US Army to its smallest size since before World War Two.
An entire class of Air Force attack jets is tipped to be axed under the plans, as Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel outlines his 2015 budget. Outlining his budget plan, the Pentagon chief proposed trimming the active-duty Army to between 440,000 and 450,000 personnel - from 520,000 currently.
He is expected to propose trimming the active-duty Army to between 440,000 and 450,000 personnel. Cold War-era Air Force fleets - the A-10 attack jet and the U-2 spy plane - will also be retired.
However, the plan requires approval from the US Congress.
Referring to budget pressures, Mr Hagel said at the Pentagon on Monday: "The reality of reduced resources and a changing strategic environment requires us to prioritise and make difficult choices."
The US military is under pressure to downsize after two costly foreign wars.The US military is under pressure to downsize after two costly foreign wars.
The number of active-duty US Army members is already expected to be pared down to 490,000, as the US prepares to end its combat role in Afghanistan later this year. The number of active-duty US Army members was already expected to be pared down to 490,000, as the US prepares to end its combat role in Afghanistan later this year.
'Tough choices''Tough choices'
"We have to face the realities of our time," Pentagon press secretary Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby told the Associated Press news agency. Noting the current US Army strength, Mr Hagel added: "Since we are no longer sizing the force for prolonged stability operations, an Army of this size is larger than required to meet the demands of our defense strategy."
"We must be pragmatic, we can't escape tough choices. He and the [military service] chiefs are willing to make those choices."
The proposed Army staffing levels would be the lowest since before the US entered World War Two in 1940, when 267,000 active-duty members were employed.The proposed Army staffing levels would be the lowest since before the US entered World War Two in 1940, when 267,000 active-duty members were employed.
By the end of that conflict, 8.2 million active-duty US Army members were employed. By the end of that conflict, there were 8.2 million active-duty US Army members, according to figures provided by the Pentagon.
The figure peaked at 1.6 million both during the Korean War, in 1952, and during the Vietnam War, in 1968.The figure peaked at 1.6 million both during the Korean War, in 1952, and during the Vietnam War, in 1968.
The number was 482,000 in 2000, a year before the attacks of 11 September 2001.The number was 482,000 in 2000, a year before the attacks of 11 September 2001.
After those attacks, the force peaked at 566,000 in 2010.After those attacks, the force peaked at 566,000 in 2010.
Benefits to be cut? Mr Hagel also announced changes to pay and benefits.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Mr Hagel will also recommend reducing housing allowances and other benefits, limiting pay raises and increasing healthcare premiums. He recommended trimming the growth of tax-free housing allowances, limiting pay raises and increasing healthcare premiums.
However, the military cost-cutting drive could well cause ructions on Capitol Hill, which is gearing up for November's midterm elections.However, the military cost-cutting drive could well cause ructions on Capitol Hill, which is gearing up for November's midterm elections.
The plan is said to take into account government cutbacks as well as US President Barack Obama's pledge to end land wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"You have to always keep your institution prepared, but you can't carry a large land-war defence department when there is no large land war," a senior Pentagon official told the New York Times.
Under the proposed cuts, the military would still be able to defeat any adversary, unnamed officials told that newspaper, but be too small to engage in protracted foreign occupations.
This month Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno said an Army force of 420,000 would be too small in a time of such uncertain national security.
"I'm on the record saying, as a minimum, I think our end strength needs to be around 450,000," he said.