The different companies, including BAE Systems, want Congress to instead use money allocated for future projects, so they can keep the production-line running. “Take money that has already been allocated, not new money, to do work on Bradley fighting vehicles that the army has already said it needs done. Just pull that forward in time to do it during the planned shut down period. Instead of shutting down. So we keep this line going, we keep the skill sets in place, the supplier base in place, and most especially so we have the ability to have these vehicles ready if and when our soldiers and marines need them,” said Coble. “The army has a stated need to convert one variant of Bradley fighting vehicles to another variant. What we’re proposing is bring that work forward in time. We will perform the work you already said you need, with money already allocated to do it.”
Congressman Scott Perry released this statement regarding the proposal:
“The employees of BAE systems and its partner companies get our sincere thanks for everything they’ve done to benefit our war fighters. At a time when our Nation is nearly $17 trillion in debt, it’s important that the Department of Defense drives the national security discussion and determines the equipment necessary to complete its mission. I would argue that a healthy Bradley Industrial Base is an essential component of that overall national security strategy. Congress has given the Department of the Army the opportunity to devise a long-term plan to keep the industrial base healthy, but the Army is over two months late in delivering that plan. While I can’t advocate spending taxpayer money solely because something benefits our congressional district, maintaining a healthy industrial base is key to our overall national security strategy and a strong national defense. I will work to support that goal.”