CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE U.S. Congress Washington, DC 20515

Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director

January 21, 2010

Honorable John M. Spratt Jr. Chairman Committee on the Budget U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Mr. Chairman: As you requested, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has analyzed both the funding needed to support an additional 30,000 troops in Afghanistan and the reduction in costs resulting from the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-118) provides $130 billion for war-related operations in 2010. Based on recent trends in spending on overseas operations, the Department of Defense (DoD) would probably require further …ver más…

Funding under the scenario with the larger force would be about $13 billion higher in 2010, $17 billion higher in 2011, and higher by smaller amounts in 2012 and 2013, CBO estimates. Of the 2010 amount, approximately $6 billion would be used to operate and maintain military equipment (including purchases of fuel and spare parts), transport personnel and equipment to and from the region, maintain and run facilities, purchase services, train U.S. military personnel, and provide medical care. Incremental pay and benefits for service members would account for another $1 billion; military intelligence activities, construction projects, support of coalition partners, and other related expenses would consume about $2 billion. Equipment to protect U.S. troops, such as mineresistant vehicles, body armor, weapons, communications equipment, and protective countermeasures, also would be necessary. Although that equipment would support forces deployed in 2010 and 2011, DoD would probably need the additional funding of about $4 billion in 2010 to ensure that the equipment is available when those military units are sent to Afghanistan. The sum of these expenses is CBO’s estimate of $13 billion in added costs in 2010. CBO’s estimate of $17 billion in added costs for 2011 includes $12 billion for operating costs, $2 billion for pay and benefits, and $3 billion for other costs. The surge of troops in Afghanistan is beginning well into fiscal year 2010 and should be