Defense planning and budgetary resources

The United States military is planning more programs than likely budgets can accommodate. Similar problems have occurred previously, but government budget documents show that the current mismatch between planned programs and resources is the worst yet. Defense budgets in the 1980s were the highest ever in peacetime, but they are unlikely to grow further, given the federal budget deficit, other federal spending priorities, and public opposition. However, the buildup left the Defense Department with a large backlog of funds, keeping defense spending high. Moreover, the many weapons developed and produced during the 1980s have created pressures for renewed funding increases. The Defense Department has planned unrealistically, counting on increases that have not materialized. The Defense Department has made minor, short-term adjustments to deal with shortfalls from planned resources. However, more significant changes are needed, including weapons cancellations and the use of more fiscally realistic planning.