The Republican nominee for President, Donald Trump, proposed more defense and military spending in Philadelphia this September.
Trump, if elected in November, would be the first president in the modern era without government or military experience, but he believes that spending $550 billion more on the nation’s military would benefit the country greatly.
However, the military’s current budget is not small. The Department of Defense (DoD) has a base budget that accounts for roughly 83% of military spending, which equals out to approximately $496 billion.
“President Obama and Hillary Clinton have also overseen deep cuts in our military, which only invite more aggression from our adversaries,” said Trump. “Our adversaries are chomping at the bit.”
Trump also stated that he plans on pursuing NATO countries to force them to pay their bills. He also wants to press the nations that aren’t putting two percent of their GDP towards military defense to raise their efforts. He believes that they can afford to do so, but that they aren’t, because these countries — he feels — don’t respect the U.S. or the current leadership.
Trump specifically called upon South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Germany to pay the U.S. more for the security it provides.
The details of his military proposal would have an active Army of roughly 540,000, 36 battalions in the Marine corps, a Navy with 350 submarines and ships, and an Air Force with approximately 1,200 aircraft.
According to NBC news, Trump outlined ways to trim government inefficiencies, but did not state how much his proposal would cost.
“History shows that when America is not prepared is when the danger is greatest,” Trump added. “We want to deter, avoid, and prevent conflict through our unquestioned military dominance.”
CNN reports that Trump believes his proposal would significantly increase global military presence but would also cost less.
“It’s gonna be so strong, nobody’s gonna mess with us,” Trump said. “But you know what? We can do it for a lot less.”