Washington: The Pentagon has announced that the Marine Corps will slash 20,000 Marines as part of Defense Department-wide budget cuts, reducing its end strength to about 182,000.
Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon on Thursday, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta plans to cut military spending by 487 billion dollars over the next decade as part of efforts to shore up US ailing economy.
He said the budget cuts would see the number of US Army troops drop from 565,000 to 490,000 within five years, a decrease of almost 13 percent.
The Pentagon chief said the US Navy’s fleet would shrink to about 250 ships from 285 and the Air Force would lose six of its 60 tactical air squadrons — meaning about 120 planes — along with one training squadron.
The proposal also calls for withdrawing two of four US brigades from Europe — a total of more than 7,000 troops.
Panetta said the administration will ask Congress for 525 billion dollars to run the Pentagon in 2013 — 6 billion dollars less than the current budget.
It is the first time since more than a decade ago that the Pentagon has asked for less funds than the previous year.
The Pentagon chief, however, proposed investment in new projects — including a futuristic floating base for special operations and drones.
According to Panetta, the US military is aiming to shift its focus from large-scale conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to crucial areas of national interest, including a greater presence in Asia.
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