New cyber force would cost up to $11 billion to start, commission says
This article reports on a commission’s recommendation for the U.S. to establish a dedicated cyber warfare force, estimated to cost up to $11 billion and staffed by approximately 30,000 personnel. The proposal stems from growing concerns about the nation’s digital defenses, particularly in the face of escalating cyber threats from nations like Russia and China. The initiative is being driven by bipartisan frustration with the current military’s ability to adequately support U.S. Cyber Command.
The U.S. Commission on Cyber Force Generation has recommended the creation of a new military branch focused on cyber warfare, citing a critical need to bolster national digital defenses. The estimated cost of establishing this force, involving around 30,000 personnel, is $11 billion. This recommendation is largely driven by concerns about the current state of U.S. cyber capabilities, particularly in light of increasing aggression from nations like Russia and China who are actively developing and deploying advanced cyber capabilities. The commission’s findings come as lawmakers prepare to draft the annual defense authorization bill, with a growing consensus that a dedicated cyber service is now an inevitability.