Defence spending on cyber, special operations stays steady as US seeks savings in tough year The USA Times

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Defence spending on cyber, special operations stays steady as US seeks savings in tough year

WASHINGTON - Spending on two top Pentagon priorities, cybersecurity and special operations forces, will remain flat or dip slightly in 2013 under the Pentagon's budget plan, as officials reinforce personnel and research but find savings elsewhere.

Defence leaders have insisted that increased investments in these areas were needed to deal with future national security threats at home and abroad. They said last year that cyber spending probably would increase in 2013 because the threat is escalating at a dramatic rate.

But demands to slash the military budget have made it difficult to boost spending. So defence officials are finding savings while still meeting the nation's warfighting needs.

Cybersecurity spending will be nearly $3.4 billion, similar to last year, while funding for special operations forces will dip by $100 million, to $10.4 billion.