Forbes Introduces Key Asia-Pacific, Policy Provisions in NDAA

Press Release

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, introduced several key provisions included in the Chairman's Mark to the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"The United States is engaged in a tremendous struggle against Islamist extremism, and that battle must be won decisively," Forbes said. "At the same time, this country and its military cannot afford to lose sight of other challenges on the horizon, particularly the return to great power competition with Russia and China. My provisions in the NDAA Chairman's Mark are designed to focus our gaze on future threats and ensure that we are laying the foundations, whether through the maintenance of air dominance or the translation of key foreign-language military writings, to preserve our national security in the 21st century."

Among the provisions introduced by Forbes:

Requires the Air Force to Report on Possibility of Restarting F-22 Production. Forbes requested language requiring the Air Force to report on the potential costs of restarting production of the F-22 Raptor (or some variant or derivative aircraft) to meet the unmet demand for additional high-performance combat aircraft. Independent studies have consistently affirmed the need for such aircraft in future conflict scenarios.

Directs the Air Force to Report on the number of B-21 Bombers needed to meet Conventional and Nuclear Threats. Forbes requested language requiring the Air Force to report on the estimated number of B-21 bombers needed to meet Combatant Commander requirements.

Directs the Army to study the military utility of conventional intermediate rangeground-launched missiles. The Chairman's mark includes an amendment Forbes made to the Strategic Forces mark, requiring the Army to assess the military utility of missiles currently prohibited by the INF Treaty.Russia is reportedly violating the INF Treaty, and Forbes believes this study is needed to inform future decisions and signal that continued Russian violation of the INF treaty could have consequences.

Requires Estimates of Chinese Missile Inventories in DoD's Annual Report. Forbes requested language requiring DoD to bring back unclassified numerical estimates of Chinese ballistic and cruise missile inventories in its annual report on China's military power.Such estimates used to be contained in the report, but have been absent in recent years.

Directs Asia-Pacific Air Base Hardening and Dispersal Strategy.Forbes requested language requiring the Air Force to report to Congress on its strategy for air base hardening and dispersal in the Asia-Pacific region. These bases face a growing threat from Chinese air, naval, and missile forces, and Forbes believes that efforts to mitigate that threat should be guided by an overarching strategy.

Encourages DoD to Facilitate Translation of Foreign Military and Technical Writings. Forbes requested language encouraging DoD to make translations of foreign military and technical writings more widely available to defense policymakers and the broader analytic community.Forbes believes better and more widespread understanding of foreign military and technical will aid the making of good strategic, policy, and programmatic decisions by the Department of Defense.

Expresses Congressional Support for US-Singapore Defense Cooperation.Forbes requested language recognizing the importance of US-Singapore defense cooperation in light of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed in December of last year and 2016 being the 50thyear of US-Singapore relations.

Expresses Congressional Support for US-Japan-South Korea Cooperation.Forbes requested language encourage closer trilateral defense cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Koreain light of the historic rapprochement between the two important US allies on the issue of comfort women.

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