There are programs that are cataloged as "Defense spending", when in reality they have little to nothing to do with the DoD. The sad reality is that the Defense Appropriations bill is considered a "must pass" bill by Congress. It is too important. Therefore, politicians load it up with spending that has nothing to do with the military. Obama was the worst offender of this, with "Climate Change" and other garbage thrown into the bill.
"Black programs" are also lumped into the DoD budget. Not all of them have to do with the US military.<> Further, we have to go by what other nation's publically tell us the pay for defense. In the US, transparency is the law. Other nation's can and do mask their real defense outlays..
But the most striking aspect that most people do not understand is that the equivalent of $1 spent by China does not equal the same military effectiveness power as $1 spent by the DoD.
The DoD can spend $250 for a pair of boots for US soldier. Are they good boots? Sure. But within the cost for those boots are monies spent for safety, environmental compliance, union wages, 8A minority set aside contracts, legal fees, and on and on.
China or Russia can produce a pair of boots that are just as good for $20 or less. The same goes for ammunition, or other combat items.
Finally, we pay a premium for our technological edge. A HUGE cost of our expenditures. The tragedy is that through theft, or outright corruption by people like the Clintons and Obamas, our military technology has been transferred to other nations.
During the Obama years, US defense spending declined significantly. Sequestration cut spending on top of the existing cuts.
