The Air Force seeks to buy 54 airplanes (30 manned and 24 remotely piloted) in Fiscal 2013, drawing from the $11 billion for aircraft procurement in its base budget request. This includes: 24 MQ-9s, 19 F-35As, four CV-22s, four MC-130Js, two AC-130Js, and one HC-130J, according to service budget documents. The Navy wants to purchase 192 (99 fixed-wing platforms, 82 helicopters and 11 RPAs) next fiscal year using the $17.1 billion it has requested for aircraft procurement. The Army intends to acquire 222 (128 new helicopters, 75 remanufactured helicopters, and 19 new RPAs) under its $6.3 billion aircraft-procurement request. In Fiscal 2012, the Air Force will acquire 132 aircraft (53 manned fixed-wing, six helicopters, and 73 RPAs) under Congress’ enacted defense appropriations. They are: 48 MQ-9s, 22 small RPA, 18 F-35As, nine C-27Js, six LAAR airplanes, six MC-130Js, five CV-22s, four HH-60G operational loss replacements, three C-37As (lease to purchase), three HC-130Js, three RQ-4s, two common vertical lift support platforms, one AC-130J, one C-17, and one C-130J. The base budget covers the purchase of 61 of the 132, while overseas contingency operations accounts fund the other 71 (48 MQ-9s, 22 small RPA, and one HH-60G).
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.