U.S. Air Force Officials Sound Alarm on Urgent Need for Modernization

Senior officials from the U.S. Air Force have issued a stark warning to lawmakers, emphasizing the critical need to modernize military forces in response to escalating threats from China and other adversaries.

During a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, along with top military leaders, delivered a chilling assessment of the current state of readiness.

Kendall stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “Time is my greatest concern — we are in a race for military technological superiority with a capable pacing challenge.” He emphasized that the window for modernization is rapidly closing, with the military “out of time” to address the growing challenges posed by adversaries.

The delay in finalizing the current year’s budget, which was not completed until March 2024 instead of the usual October 1, 2023, has further exacerbated the situation, according to Kendall. Despite the setback, efforts are underway to prioritize urgent modernization initiatives.

Pointing to recent events such as Iran’s attack on Israel, Kendall underscored the need for preparedness against potential future threats. He highlighted the importance of transitioning from legacy systems to more capable ones designed to cope with highly contested environments.

Joining Kendall in stressing the urgency of modernization were Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. Allvin emphasized the simultaneous demands of strategic competition with China and persistent threats from around the globe, emphasizing that “time is not on our side.”

Saltzman emphasized the crucial role of space superiority, describing it as the linchpin for deterring conflict, providing vital effects, and protecting the joint force. He emphasized the importance of building the infrastructure necessary to achieve space superiority, characterizing the Space Force as a work in progress until that goal is achieved.

With the Department of the Air Force requesting a $217.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025, set to begin on October 1, officials emphasized the need to maximize readiness while adapting structures and processes to prevail in an environment of enduring great power competition.

As the United States faces evolving threats on multiple fronts, the urgent call for modernization highlights the critical importance of staying ahead of adversaries in an increasingly complex and contested global landscape.