It is a substantial argument. Military spending for civil research progress is super inefficient.

audits literally cost money but I wasn't trying to say that their cost increase would surpass the savings

yeah I believed you already and 2x/3x for a common thing is crazy

Wouldn't say ridiculous since we could have it. It's just a hypothetical scenario to explain something. Obviously we would gain all military expenses if military wasn't necessary because wars are possible. If military was only about defense of own country, USA could drop all except nuking capabilities.