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complete text is online on our site @ http://www.fas.org/man/docs/dodbud~1.htm

[Excerpt] DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUDGET FOR FY 1998

FOR RELEASE AT 8 AM EST February 6, 1997
Reference Number No. 051-97

Ballistic Missile Deterrence and Defense

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the ballistic missiles that deliver them pose a major threat to U.S. forces, as well as to our allies and other friendly nations. The Department of Defense is pursuing a robust Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program, as part of a broader counterproliferation strategy to reduce, deter, and defend against this threat.

The BMD program's highest priority is Theater Missile Defense (TMD), to meet the threat that exists now. The goal is to develop, procure, and deploy systems that can protect forward-deployed and expeditionary elements of U.S. forces, as well as allied and friendly nations, from theater-range ballistic missiles. In general, these programs are structured to proceed at the fastest pace that the technology risks will allow. Key programs include the Patriot PAC-3, Navy Area TMD, Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), Navy Theater-Wide TMD, Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, and Airborne Laser (ABL).

The next highest BMD priority is development of a National Missile Defense (NMD) program that positions the United States to field the most effective possible system to defend U.S. territory in the future when the threat warrants such a deployment. The third BMD priority is the continued development of a technology base that improves the capability of both the Theater and National defense programs to respond to emerging threats.

FY 1998 budget authority requested for Ballistic Missile Defense is $3.5 billion. For FY 1999-2003 an additional $17.9 billion is planned. Beginning with the FY 1998 budget, all procurement funding for TMD programs are in the appropriate Army, Navy, or Air Force accounts. Funding for the Administration's FY 1998-2003 BMD program is $2.4 billion higher than the level projected last year.