Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon is seeking $848.3 billion for its FY 2026 budget, which represents a real cut when adjusted for inflation.
- A separate spending bill, proposing an additional $113 billion, could raise the total to nearly $961 billion.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces criticism for the budget process, leading to concerns about funding for essential military programs.
Pentagon Budget Request Overview
The Pentagon has submitted a budget request of $848.3 billion for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which, when adjusted for inflation, constitutes a reduction in core military spending. Senior defense officials argue that this figure needs to be viewed alongside a supplemental spending bill currently being debated in Congress. This additional bill proposes $113 billion for mandatory military expenditures, potentially boosting the Pentagon’s budget to roughly $961 billion, a figure close to the trillion-dollar defense budget previously promised by former President Donald Trump.
Traditionally, such supplemental spending bills do not factor into the Pentagon’s base budget, similar to how bonuses are treated separately from annual salaries. However, this fiscal year, the Defense Department is separating its budget into two parts, with core weapons programs like shipbuilding and missile defense included in the one-time supplemental package.
Congressional lawmakers of both parties have expressed frustration over Secretary Hegseth’s budget plan, considering it delayed and unconventional. During recent testimonies, they raised concerns that this bifurcation of budget requests could jeopardize critical weapons programs, as contractors face uncertainty about funding beyond the immediate fiscal year. In response, a senior defense official, who spoke anonymously, countered that this spending approach might actually provide stronger financial signals to defense contractors, suggesting that the adjustment process could occur ahead of the core defense budget’s rollout.
There remains uncertainty about future budget requests; officials did not clarify whether next year’s proposal would follow the $961 billion model or revert to the initial request of $848 billion. Furthermore, preparations for the contingency if the supplemental bill fails to pass have not been disclosed, adding to the concerns over military priorities.
The Pentagon’s recent handling of its budget documentation has also raised eyebrows. In an unusual move, it released budget documents without prior notice, deviating from the standard practice that involves public briefings. As of Thursday morning, critical budget overviews and other detailed materials were still unavailable to the public.
Secretary Hegseth pledged to reform military bureaucracy upon taking office and is focused on reallocating $50 billion annually toward higher-priority programs. Officials stated that these funds would primarily come from cuts to personnel, with significant investments earmarked for programs such as the Golden Dome, a proposed missile defense system with $25 billion allocated for FY26, and an expanded military role along the southern border that includes an additional $5 billion.
Significant reductions have also been made to major aircraft projects. For instance, the E-7 Wedgetail, a surveillance aircraft, will experience funding cuts, as will the Navy’s new fighter jet program, which is now set to receive only $74 million for design completion. Officials noted an ongoing evaluation regarding the future of these programs, which is currently under discussion among the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of Defense, and the President.
Noah Robertson, the Pentagon reporter at Defense News, previously covered national security for the Christian Science Monitor and holds a bachelor’s degree in English and government from the College of William & Mary in Virginia.
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