Pentagon Unveils $96.1 Billion Budget Proposal
On Thursday, the Pentagon shared details about its budget request, totaling $96.1 billion. This budget plan signals a potential shift away from the new F-35 fighter jets in favor of next-generation aircraft and drones.
The requested amount, interestingly, is part of what officials are calling “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which encompasses an overall discretionary defense budget of $848.3 billion, plus an additional $113 billion from various settlements.
Among other budget priorities, there’s a notable allocation of $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense project, particularly significant in President Trump’s home state.
As the Trump administration advances the development of a sixth-generation fighter, the F-47, there’s a proposed reduction in F-35 purchases from 74 units to just 47. The budget seeks $3.4 billion for the F-47 initiative.
Currently, there’s uncertainty surrounding the Navy’s next-gen fighter aircraft, the F/A-XX. A defense official noted, “We’re awaiting decisions from the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, and the President. It’s an ongoing discussion about whether to proceed with the program.”
The program is under minimal funding for its design phase at this point.
There’s also contemplation about possibly exploring different versions of the F-47 for other military branches rather than having completely distinct programs. One official mentioned, “I think nearly everything is on the table. The air support that fighters require quickly is really what we’re looking at most.”
The budget outlines new funding requests through the Navy and additional 16 requests via a settlement request.
Interestingly enough, the proposal pushes for military personnel salary increases of 3.8% while also planning to cut civilian workforce numbers by 7,286.
Further investment in ammunition and weapon systems is on the agenda, focusing on longer-range capabilities tailored for the Pacific, including surface-to-air systems and long-range anti-ship missiles.
The budget also emphasizes spending on low-cost drones—small units that have shown effectiveness in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
To break it down, the Army’s share of the proposed budget stands at $197.4 billion, the Navy at $29.22 billion, and the Air Force is asking for $301.1 billion, with the overall defense budget hitting $1.7 trillion. Notably, the Air Force’s request includes $40 billion for the Space Force, marking a 30% increase since 2025.
What’s particularly unusual about this budget structure is what officials are calling “one budget, two bills.” When combined with the Department of Energy’s national security spending, it contributes to a larger $1 trillion defense strategy. Administrative authorities are hustling to persuade lawmakers to pass the comprehensive bill by July 4th.
In an ideal scenario, Congress would approve 12 separate spending bills before the start of the fiscal year on October 1. However, recent years have seen many of these bills merged into larger omnibus packages, which, well, can create a bit of a headache later on.
Lastly, a senior defense official confirmed that costs for E-7 radar planes are notably up, increasing dramatically from $588 million to $724 million per aircraft due to the contested environment.
