THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-1000

10 December 2002

The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-6028

Dear Mr. Chairman:

During our recent discussions, we informed you that we were looking for modifications to the Stryker brigades to assure that they would provide:

This additional capability, we believe, will result in Stryker brigades that are more prototypical of the Objective Force units the Army is now developing. By bringing this capability on line sooner, the transformation of the Army would be enhanced even as the flexibility and utility of the Stryker brigades is improved.

Accordingly, I have given the Army guidance to develop a plan that would meet these objectives. I have approved the Army's proposal to include in the FY 04 budget funds to procure the fourth Stryker brigade, intended for the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. I have directed the Army to hold the funding for brigades five and six until the Army presents a plan to me, no later than July 8, 2003, to provide options for enhancing the first three, as well as the last two, brigades.

However, the intention is to move the Army more rapidly in the direction of a more capable force that still retains the flexibility and deployability of the Stryker Brigade. This can accelerate movement toward the Army Objective Force. We also want to look at ways in which we could encourage our allies in Europe and Korea to adopt the Stryker concept.

We will work closely with the Army in the next few months on this effort. We will consult with you about the options as they are developed. A similar letter has been sent to the Chairman and the Ranking Member on all four Congressional defense panels.