Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Top U.S. Marine defends $13 billion amphibious tank

"And, by the way, China has already fielded a similar vehicle and is building more," he said.

Hat's off to General James Conway Of the Kick ass U.S. Marines ! A very nice Punch in the Nose to Robert gates U.S. Defense Secretary , Now whether Mr Gates realizes' it or not General Conway Makes a very strong point with his statement " When your Enemies Or Non Allies such As China , Are expanding their Military Beyond any other Military in the world , You better be ready for anything ! ) I am sure I am not alone in my thinking that China is up to something ! sooner or later they are going to have to Justify their Military spending ! Maybe not directly Attacking the U.S. but no matter who they attack we will be forced to Help defend them ! And WE better be ready !


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Marines must be able to storm enemy shores in amphibious vehicles such as those being built by General Dynamics Corp, the top Marine said, defending a $13.2 billion program called into question by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

General Dynamics' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, or EFV, "is inextricably linked to that capability and an absolutely critical requirement for us," General James Conway, the Marine Corps commandant, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday.

"And, by the way, China has already fielded a similar vehicle and is building more," he said.

As conceived by the Marine Corps, the EFV is to be able to transport up to 18 combat-ready Marines at high speeds on both land and sea. It would have advanced communications capabilities, provide increased armored protection against rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices, and deliver lethal firepower up to 2,000 meters (2,200 yards).

But Gates, in an April 17 speech to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, said he had directed Pentagon planners to take a "realistic" view of the need for landing large numbers of troops "so we can better gauge our requirements."
....


No comments: