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CHARLOTTESVILLE — Seventh District Congressional candidate Lewis M. Costello today warned that U.S. military preparedness was deteriorating despite unprecedented increases in defense spending in recent years.
“We cannot blindly throw money at the Pentagon and expect a strong defense in return,” said Costello. “We need sound management practices and budgetary oversight.”
“I am not just talking about the kind of waste we hear about so frequently—such as spending $750 for a $3 wrench. I am talking about a squandering of this country’s ability to defense itself.”
Costello named several incidents of “gross waste” in weapons procurement, training, and support elements of the military.
Among the examples cited were:
• The purchase of six missile frigates by the Navy at a cost of $4.2 billion. The Navy simultaneously decided to save $250 million by retiring 22 ships—13 of them destroyers similar to the newly purchased vessels. Twelve of the retired destroyers had recently undergone $25 million renovations. “Does the Navy want more ships, or just want to buy more ships?” asked Costello.
• The Bradley armored personnel carrier which is fourteen times the cost of the M-113 vehicle it is replacing. The Bradley has been labeled a “deathtrap” 'by analysts. The $2 million vehicle can be destroyed by a $2 hand grenade, and its aluminum armor is highly flammable. “This so-called infantry fighting vehicle does not even carry a full eightman squad,” he noted.
• The Sargeant York DIVAD anti
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