By Tony Capaccio (Bloomberg) The Defense budget request of approximately $583 billion will contain between $3 to $5 billion for Europe-based initiatives, up from $789 million requested for this year, according to two defense officials.

Funding will come from $58.8 billion warfighting request, not $524 billion base defense bill, say the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because budget hasn’t been formally released.

Increased funding will pay for expanded prepositioning of war stocks in Baltics, rotation of Army armored brigade, exercises, officials say.

No weapons programs terminated in FY17 request but face adjustments, official says. Official says it’s unlikely Defense Secretry Ashton Carter will preview budget in Washington.

Note by the author: Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord in September interview said Russian assertiveness in Europe, Middle East would shape FY17 request.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/jqrhyqy