We probably don't actually need that many tanks. We need more software engineers, drone pilots, logistics specialists, anti-missile, doctors and medics, specialized cameras with AI, etc. I agree with you, that a lot of the money is being completely misplaced, and we could probably cut the budget and invest smarter and end up ahead. The size of the budget, and the purchasing of particular, expensive equipment pieces is perhaps an artifact of keeping the American allies pacified by buying their stuff at inflated prices. Like playing homage as a vassal state. I actually have a cousin studying military economics. He talks a lot, about misallocation. This, for me, is a different question than the basic question, of whether we should bother to strengthen our defenses.