United States Needs to Enhance Its Spacepower Superiority
Reapportioning Defense Spending for Spaceforce Priorities
The Department of Defense's decision to divert 8% of its budget towards Trump administration priorities presents both opportunities and challenges. The nation currently faces a myriad of national security threats, with China leading the pack. Allocating funds judiciously to combat these threats is of paramount importance. However, adjusting funding must be undertaken with caution to avoid undermining core capabilities and capacity, particularly the U.S. Space Force.
Established in 2019 by President Donald Trump, the U.S. Space Force was created to safeguard America's interests in space. The escalating threat of adversarial actions and the expanding demand for space-based capabilities on Earth necessitate a robust response to consolidate and synchronize national security space activities, while also innovating new strategies, operational concepts, tactics, and technologies. This includes both offensive and defensive measures.
For decades, U.S. policy prohibited military personnel from using the terms "warfighting" and "space" in a single sentence. However, Space Force leadership is now working to transform the service into a warfighting enterprise. Under the leadership of General Chance Saltzman and his team, key operating concepts have been developed, such as the Space Force's Theory of Competitive Endurance, and six core truths about space warfighting have been outlined. The Space Force Generation model has also been implemented to generate, present, and sustain combat-ready forces for combatant command missions.
The Space Force has reorganized its units of action around mission areas to prioritize readiness, and it is rapidly establishing service components in all Combatant Commands to ensure effective joint integration. These foundational measures aim to deter and, if necessary, fight and win a conflict in space, as the service develops new tactics, techniques, procedures, and training to effectively counter adversary threats in orbit.
This ambitious endeavor is complex and demanding, but the Space Force's "Guardians" are making significant strides, often delivering results in shorter timelines than usual. Space is not an isolated domain, and teamwork is vital. Each service branch must embrace spacepower, and joint exercises are crucial to ensure all warfighters are empowered to defend and harness a space advantage.
The Space Force operates on a tight budget, with just 3% of the total Department of Defense budget. The entire service, combining both uniformed personnel and essential civilian experts, numbers only 9,900 and 8,000 respectively. Despite its small size, the Biden Administration has proposed a 2% funding cut in their fiscal 2025 defense budget request, on top of decreased buying power due to inflation. If Congress fails to pass a 2025 budget, automatic cuts mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act will further constrain resources.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's 8% budget realignment could smartly redistribute vital resources to the Space Force, especially considering its ongoing growth to meet surging mission demand and advanced U.S. warfighting concepts. The Golden Dome air and missile defense initiative, which will be primarily space-based, represents additional mission growth. However, the Space Force may need more funds to achieve the anticipated effects across all military domains, given its critical role in U.S. national security and the growing demands placed upon it. The Space Force's missions are foundational to America's defense, and no other service can effectively operate without the capabilities Guardians bring to the fight.
- The Department of Defense's reallocation of 8% of its budget might bolster the U.S. Space Force, allowing them to address challenges and opportunities in national security threats, particularly from China.
- The Space Force's strategic orientation includes an emphasis on space-based capabilities, not only for defensive measures but also for innovating new offensive strategies and technologies.
- The Space Force, under General Chance Saltzman's leadership, is working to transform into a warfighting enterprise, implementing models like the Space Force Generation and outlining six core truths about space warfighting.
- The Space Force is reorganizing its units and establishing service components in all Combatant Commands to ensure joint integration, focusing on deterring and, if necessary, fighting conflicts in space.
- Despite its limited resources, the Space Force faces potential budget cuts, which could hinder its growth and ability to meet surging mission demands and advanced U.S. warfighting concepts, given its critical role in U.S. national security and expanding space-based initiatives like the Golden Dome air and missile defense.
