House bill calls for $2.1 bil. defense investment in Asia-Pacific

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) — The chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee has introduced a bill that would authorize the spending of $2.1 billion on enhancing U.S. defense capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, including $1 billion for procuring THAAD or other missile interceptors.

The office of Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) said the lawmaker submitted the Strengthening Security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Act (H.R. 2621) last week in an effort to increase critical capabilities so as to support U.S. military readiness, deter aggression and respond rapidly to crises in the region, while bolstering alliances and partnerships.

“No one needs reminding of the escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific. It is essential that the United States reassure our allies and friends that we are committed to stability and security in that region now and in the future,” Thornberry said in a statement.

“One of the best ways to do that is to increase our military presence and enhance our readiness there. To do that, we need to invest in a broad range of defense capabilities and this legislation does just that,” he said.

The bill authorizes more than $2.1 billion for the coming fiscal year and Thornberry intends to include the measure in the upcoming annual defense bill, which is currently sched- uled to be considered in the Armed Services Committee in late June, the office said.

The legislation calls for, among other things, authorizing $1 billion to improve critical munitions inventories and enhancing munition capabilities, and another $1 billion to procure Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors or lower tier air and missile defense interceptors, according to the office.

It also authorizes $15 million for missile defense exercises with Japan, South Korea and Australia for defense against the ballistic missile forces of North Korea, and $100 million for enhanced joint training and exercises to improve force readiness across the full spectrum of threats in the region.

The bill reaffirms U.S. extended deterrence commitments to the Asia-Pacific region, including maintaining robust nuclear capable bombers, and requires a plan to maintain a forward-stationed combat aviation brigade in South Korea to better position the armed forces for major contingencies on the Korean Peninsula.

Other points include requiring a plan to incorporate cyber planning with joint planning exercises in the region, as well as enhancing operations and strategic communication strategies to counter Russian, Chinese and North Korean information warfare.