Statement of the Honorable Neil Abercrombie
Chairman, Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program
July 19, 2007
"I would like to associate myself with Chairman Taylor's opening remarks. The list of Department of Defense programs experiencing cost, schedule and performance difficulties is lengthy -- and this program, with a nearly 50 percent increase in cost in three months -- from $8 to $12 billion, will be added to that list.
"But this issue is about the protection of our men and women in uniform, not budget overruns, and we will do whatever it takes to meet their needs. From day one of this Congress, this committee said, tell us what it will take for MRAP and we will provide what money you need.
"In February, the budget requested by the Pentagon was $4.1 billion short of what the Pentagon said it would take to fund the MRAP vehicle program. This committee stepped-up and provided that additional $4.1 billion.
"There are many questions about MRAP: why the Pentagon didn't get started earlier, why we can't produce what we need faster, and why there isn't more commonality on vehicle configuration if this really is a joint program? But our first question is what can we do to help you get this done faster.
"This committee stands ready to provide the necessary resources to adequately fund this program. It was this committee who first provided the necessary $4.6 billion required at the time of the House Armed Services Committee mark up to fully fund the known vehicle requirement of 7,774 for fiscal year 2008.
"Having made it clear that we intend to support you in fielding MRAP, I want to make it clear that we expect to be kept informed on the status of the program. Based on some of the information we have seen, I hope you are getting better information than we are getting.
"One day we are told that the number of MRAP vehicles delivered in June was 78. The next day we are given a slide that says 165 vehicles were delivered. One chart shows expected deliveries of 5,000 vehicles by February of next year while another shows 4,270 -- a 730 vehicle difference.
"On the 9th of July we were told that $3.9 billion had been funded for MRAP. On the 16th of July we were told that $4.4 billion had been funded for the program -- a $500 million difference.
"As previously mentioned, the program cost estimate has increased by nearly 50 percent in three months -- an increase of $2.0 billion, just for fiscal year 2008, and a shortfall of $5 billion dollars from what has been requested.
"Finally, we understand the MRAP vehicle is no silver bullet and that there are IEDs that have been encountered for which no reasonable level of armor will provide protection. However, it appears this vehicle can increase the survivability and operational effectiveness of our military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe it to them to field this capability as fast as possible.
"Thank you Mr. Chairman."
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