Tag

Defense Budget

All articles tagged with #defense budget

world14 days ago•23 min saved

Ukraine moves to legalize adult content to fund drone procurement

Ukraine is considering decriminalizing pornography to generate approximately $25 million in tax revenue, a sum one lawmaker estimates could purchase 30,000 drones for the military. The proposal aims to address a massive defense budget shortfall by taxing a clandestine industry that has operated illegally for years. While the bill has passed its first reading in parliament, it faces significant opposition from critics concerned about public morality and the potential for increased human trafficking. The move highlights the extreme financial pressures facing Kyiv as it continues to fund its war effort against Russia.

via washingtonpost.com|

#defense-budget #human-rights #legislation

politics22 days ago•396 min saved

Democratic senators press for full cost accounting of Iran war from Pentagon

Nearly the entire Senate Democratic caucus urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide a detailed, public accounting of the Iran war’s costs—covering base repairs, asset replacement, and ongoing maintenance—as Congress weighs a $67 billion supplemental request. The push comes amid varied cost estimates: the Defense Department inspector general pegged about $33 billion (as of June 30, excluding facility repairs), the Congressional Budget Office around $38 billion, and a top Pentagon official NPR-style estimate of about $37.5 billion so far. The lawmakers also want a transparent breakdown of how the $67 billion supplemental would be spent and how much has already been used from roughly $34 billion authorized in a recent spending bill. Forty-six Democrats signed the letter; Sen. John Fetterman did not, citing his stance on Iran accountability. The Pentagon did not immediately comment.

via NBC News|

#defense-budget #iran #national-security

world23 days ago•3 min saved

Iranian strikes hammered hundreds of U.S. bases and aircraft, IG finds

A Department of Defense Inspector General report says Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of U.S. military and diplomatic facilities across the Middle East during Operation Epic Fury, with dozens of aircraft destroyed or damaged and at least 18 U.S. personnel killed (casualties later rising); the operation has run into tens of billions in costs, funded from normal budgets rather than a dedicated appropriation, and raises questions about future base construction and funding.

via Defense News|

#aircraft-damage #defense-budget #iran

national-investigations23 days ago•12 min saved

Congress withholds Iran-war funds; Pentagon pays from existing budgets

Congress has not approved a dedicated appropriation for the Iran war, but the Pentagon says Operation Epic Fury has already cost at least $33.4 billion through June, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating $38.1 billion through Aug. 1; funding has been drawn from base budgets rather than wartime accounts, while a $67.1 billion supplemental request remains before Congress and could delay modernization as funds are reallocated.

via The Center Square|

#appropriations #defense-budget #iran-war

defense24 days ago•5 min saved

U.S. Iran war drains taxpayers as costs hit $38B in five months

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the first five months of the U.S.-led Iran war cost about $38.1 billion, with monthly spending running between $2 billion and $3 billion depending on intensity, and has depleted munitions stockpiles such as missile interceptors, a depletion that could take years to rebuild and affect future readiness.

via Politico|

#cbo #defense #defense-budget

politics29 days ago•132 min saved

GOP tax overhaul brings uneven gains, bigger deficits and welfare shifts

The GOP’s signature tax bill combines broad cuts that mostly benefit higher earners (averaging about $2,300 per filer, with refunds up ~ $350) with substantial cuts to SNAP and Medicaid work requirements. It finances this with a large defense/homeland spending boost and tariff costs. The CBO projects deficits rising by about $3.4 trillion this decade as revenues fall roughly $4.5 trillion, offset by about $1.1 trillion in spending cuts, while millions could lose food aid or health coverage under Medicaid changes. Supporters argue it trims waste and incentivizes work; critics say it shifts resources from the poor to the wealthy and fuels higher debt.

via apnews.com|

#defense-budget #deficit #medicaid

defense1 month ago•2 min saved

Japan targets record defense budget to expand missiles, drones and AI-enabled systems

Japan is requesting a record 8.89 trillion yen ($55.6B) for the coming fiscal year to fund extended-range missiles (including AARGM-ER), stand-off weapons, and more drones (notably 17 MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft), while planning submarine-launched missiles and AI-enabled future command-and-control; exact costs for many items will await three upcoming national security documents.

via Breaking Defense|

#ai #defense #defense-budget

world-news1 month ago•128 min saved

Japan bets big on drones, AI and missiles in defense budget plan

Japan has requested a $55.6 billion defense budget focused on drones, AI and missiles, with funds aimed at stabilizing defense production by expanding state-backed capacity and outsourcing manufacturing to private firms. The plan also supports defense-related R&D and industry restructuring, as major suppliers like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki, and IHI have benefited, though the sector faces challenges from constitutional limits on force use and supplier withdrawal risks.

via AP News|

#artificial-intelligence #defense-budget #defense-industry

defense1 month ago•7 min saved

Japan Eyes AI, Unmanned Warfare and Submarines in Record 2027 Defense Request

Japan's Ministry of Defense is asking for a record 8.9 trillion yen in FY2027, prioritizing AI and unmanned assets to adapt to 'new ways of warfare.' The request covers major maritime programs including New FFM frigates, Taigei-class submarines, long-endurance UAVs (MQ-9B SeaGuardian), Sakura OPVs, and enhancements to Aegis destroyers for Tomahawk deployment, as well as submarine- and underwater-launched missiles and UUV research. The final budget is expected to exceed 10 trillion yen, with hundreds of unpriced item requests awaiting year-end deliberations.

via navalnews.com|

#defense #defense-budget #japan

world1 month ago•7 min saved

Ukraine Eyes Early EU Loans, Frozen Assets to Close $27B Defense Gap

President Zelensky said Ukraine faces a $27 billion defense-budget shortfall and is considering early access to European loan funds, while urging a fair use of frozen Russian assets, stronger air defenses for the Black Sea grain corridor, and discussions with EU leaders Costa and Frieden to secure funding and export resilience.

via Kyiv Post|

#black-sea-corridor #defense-budget #frozen-russian-assets

world1 month ago•4 min saved

Ukraine hits €23B defense funding gap as Western aid lags

Ukraine faces a €23 billion hole in its defense budget this year after front-loading half-year spending ahead of the EU’s €90 billion loan, which has been delayed by Hungary. Kyiv says it needs €6.8–€8.5 billion early in 2027 to pay for weapons and supplies, plus about €17 billion more for military salaries and families of the fallen, while the EU has disbursed €6.1 billion in new defense procurement—far short of needs. Domestic reform delays and political hurdles are slowing disbursement, even as leaders gather in Kyiv to pledge ongoing support for Ukraine’s defense and independence.

via politico.eu|

#coalition-of-the-willing #defense-budget #eu-funding

military-and-defense1 month ago•12 min saved

Taiwan approves record defense budget to deter China in 2027

Taiwan's cabinet approved a record NT$1.12 trillion ($35.1 billion) defense budget for 2027, totaling about 3.01% of GDP and funded from central and special budgets; the plan, which includes NT$10,000 cash handouts to residents, reflects Lai Ching-te's push to boost military spending toward a 3% GDP target, though it still requires passage by a legislature amid ongoing elections.

via Yahoo Finance|

#china #defense-budget #gdp

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

Republicans Blast Pentagon Over Excluding Democrats From Defense Budget Briefings

Republican senators accuse the Pentagon of excluding Democrats from closed, classified briefings on the defense budget, warning that Pete Hegseth’s approach could jeopardize passage of Trump’s $1.5 trillion military package as Democrats threaten to boycott funding bills; lawmakers from both parties urge bipartisan engagement.

via The Guardian|

#capitol-hill #defense-budget #democrats

politics1 month ago•6 min saved

Partisan Pentagon Briefings Threaten Bipartisan Buy-In for $1.5T Defense Plan

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has steered closed-door briefings that exclude Democrats to push President Trump’s record $1.5 trillion defense budget, prompting Republican concern that the approach risks alienating Democrats and derailing funding unless bipartisan support is secured; even with reconciliation options, Democratic opposition remains a major hurdle.

via Politico|

#bipartisan #defense-budget #democrats

politics2 months ago•8 min saved

GOP Rift Halts Trump-Backed $1.5T Defense Push

Republican lawmakers remain divided over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s bid for a $1.5 trillion defense budget, with doubts about using reconciliation to bypass Democrats and concerns about political risk ahead of the midterms; despite Trump’s support, there is no clear path forward as lawmakers seek more information and guard against overreach.

via Politico|

#defense-budget #gop #midterms