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| Pentagon's Chuck Hagel plans to downsize US military | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has unveiled plans to shrink the US Army to its smallest size since before World War Two. | Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has unveiled plans to shrink the US Army to its smallest size since before World War Two. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Cold War-era Air Force fleets - the U-2 spy plane and the A-10 attack jet - will also be retired. | |
| However, the plan requires approval from Congress, which could change it. | |
| 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. |
| 'Difficult decisions ahead' | |
| Mr Hagel said at the Pentagon on Monday: "This is a time for reality. | |
| "This is a budget that recognises the reality of the magnitude of our fiscal challenges." | |
| He added: "There are difficult decisions ahead. That is the reality we're living with." | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 defence strategy." | |
| Mr Hagel said the administration would also recommend closing some domestic military bases in 2017, though such proposals have been rejected by Congress in recent years. | |
| The Pentagon chief went on to unveil plans for changes to pay and benefits. | |
| He recommended curbing 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. | |
| 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, there were 8.2 million active-duty US Army members, according to figures provided on Monday 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. |