Eric Edelman, Gary Roughead Talk Defense Budget, Concept of Operations at Senate Panel Hearing

The co-chairmen of a commission that reviews the National Defense Strategy have said the lack of stable funding and concept of operations would make it difficult for the strategy to address the threats posed by China and Russia, USNI News reported Wednesday.

Gary Roughead, a retired Navy admiral, and diplomat Eric Edelman of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy appeared Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss the commission’s recommendations.

Roughead and Edelman said they consider a $733B defense budget a “baseline” to upgrade nuclear forces and maintain military readiness.

Edelman told the Senate panel about the commission’s concerns over “flat budgets” and the strategy’s failure to consider the possible emergence of two simultaneous conflicts.

The report said the commission suggested that defense budget levels should increase 3 to 5 percent on an annual basis to advance modernization and ensure readiness.