A
AALARD
Guest
Lockheed backs Gates on budget
BETHESDA, Md., (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is on track with his calls to redefine defense spending to meet the 21st century threat environment, Lockheed Martin said.
Gates complained to lawmakers this week that the Defense Department budget was focused on non-combat operations.
"If you took a broad look at our budget, about 50 percent of our procurement budget is for what I would call long-term modernization programs to deal with near-peer countries," he said.
Bob Stevens, chairman and chief executive officer at Lockheed Martin, said the defense secretary was right to refocus military spending.
"(Gates) has been relentless and eloquent in demanding a new kind of focus -- from the Department of Defense, the Congress and the defense industry as well, to be extremely rigorous in determining what our requirements really are ... to align our priorities with real world needs ... and to ensure we do everything possible to make every dollar count," he said.
Stevens added his company was "disciplined" in setting its priorities to meet its customers need and fulfill its obligation to support national security.
BETHESDA, Md., (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is on track with his calls to redefine defense spending to meet the 21st century threat environment, Lockheed Martin said.
Gates complained to lawmakers this week that the Defense Department budget was focused on non-combat operations.
"If you took a broad look at our budget, about 50 percent of our procurement budget is for what I would call long-term modernization programs to deal with near-peer countries," he said.
Bob Stevens, chairman and chief executive officer at Lockheed Martin, said the defense secretary was right to refocus military spending.
"(Gates) has been relentless and eloquent in demanding a new kind of focus -- from the Department of Defense, the Congress and the defense industry as well, to be extremely rigorous in determining what our requirements really are ... to align our priorities with real world needs ... and to ensure we do everything possible to make every dollar count," he said.
Stevens added his company was "disciplined" in setting its priorities to meet its customers need and fulfill its obligation to support national security.
