To Reduce the Deficit, CBO Presents Options for Nuclear Force Reductions

If the military reduces its planned SSBN posture from 12 to eight, delays the start construction date of the Ohio-class replacement from Fiscal Year 2021 to FY 2025, and defers development of the long-range strike bomber until at least FY 2025, the U.S. would save $55 billion, according to a recently released Congressional Budget Office report that lists 79 options for slashing the national deficit. “Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2015 to 2024” states that the bulk of the savings would be realized in the long term. It estimates the Navy will save $21 billion and the Air Force will save $34 billion over the next 10 years, including respective savings of $5 billion and $11 billion over the next five years. Released Nov. 20, the nonpartisan report follows the October release of an unaffiliated report by arms control advocates calling for development delays of next-generation bombers and Ohio-class replacement submarines, and for a reduction of the SSBN posture from 12 to eight.