So-called defense now absorbs sixty per cent of the national budget, and about twelve per cent of the Gross National Product.
Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!
I'm a big fan of NATO. But they have to pay up.
I will not cut our military budget by a trillion dollars, which is a combination of the budget cuts Barack Obama has, as well as the sequestration cuts. That, in my view, is making our future less certain and less secure.
I've ordered plans to begin for the massive rebuilding of the United States military. Had great support from the Senate. I've had great support from congress, generally. We've pursued this rebuilding in the hopes that we will never have to use this military.
It is important that both Japan and the United States continue to invest very heavily in the alliance to build up our defense.
The advantage of a market-based national defense is obvious: Every citizen would receive an individualized amount of military protection, based on the value each of us placed on defending the homeland.
It's only by investing properly in our defense that we can ensure we're properly equipped to face our shared challenges together.
We're going to rebuild our military. Our military is depleted. Our military is frankly, our military is in trouble.
No wonder nobody around the world is nervous about America anymore. No wonder we're not intimidating our adversaries and they're running around wild in the world, because they know we're not investing in our defense anymore. We need to make or military strong, not to wage war, but to avoid war and to bring peace and stability in the world.
After many, many years of decline in defense spending across Europe and Canada, in 2016, we saw the first significant increase. We still have a long way to go, but at least European allies have kind of started move in the right direction.
If the men and women who protect the country are to succeed in the missions they are assigned, we simply must invest more in defense.
Under my plan, not only will we modernize our Navy's cruisers, but we'll also invest in the technologies of the future being developed right here in central Florida. My plan also includes major investments in space exploration, also right here.
NATO members must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations.
