Hard Look at $246 Billion for New ICBMs Pledged by a Top Senator

Tester supports missiles but wants to be sure they’re needed
Defense spending panel chairman predicts steady defense budget

Senator Jon Tester
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg

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By Anthony Capaccio

March 2, 2021 at 5:08 PM UTC

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The new chairman of the Senate panel that controls military spending says he’s open to arguments against developing a new $246 billion system of land-based intercontinental missiles even though he represents one of three U.S. states with ICBM installations.

Senator Jon Tester of Montana, home to Malmstrom Air Force Base and its ICBMs, said in an interview that he supports the new Ground Based-Strategic Deterrent awarded to Northrop Grumman Corp. last year. It may be the most contentious issue in the upcoming fiscal 2022 defense budget.