All articles tagged with #defense budget
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to publicly testify before the House Armed Services Committee on April 29, marking the first televised session since the U.S.-Iran conflict began as lawmakers press for more information on strategy and endgame amid rising energy prices.
An opinion piece argues the U.S. ABM fleet (E-2/E-3/E-7) is stretched thin by aging airframes, maintenance strain, and heavy demand from operations like Epic Fury. It criticizes budget moves to cancel ABM programs in favor of unproven options and urges funding for new ABM aircraft and updated radars, plus maintenance of pilot/crewmember pipelines, to preserve reliable early warning and battle management for high-threat theaters.
The White House is seeking roughly $200 billion in additional military funding for the Iran war, citing future needs and ammunition replenishment, a request that will trigger a bruising congressional battle amid economic volatility and mixed public support for the conflict.
The Pentagon is reportedly seeking up to $200 billion in a congressional funding request to bankroll ongoing operations in Iran, with officials saying the money is needed to sustain strikes and replenish munitions; costs have already reached about $12 billion, and the administration signals this could herald a longer conflict, even as several allies pledge support to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. will launch its 'largest strike package yet' in the Iran war after Israel hit an Iranian gas field and Iran retaliated; officials say Washington has struck thousands of targets in Iran and is pursuing a roughly $200 billion funding boost, with ongoing operations and regional tensions affecting energy markets.
The Intercept reports that the Trump administration’s war with Iran is far costlier than official Pentagon tallies suggest, with officials estimating $1–2 billion spent daily and a possible quarter-trillion within weeks, while long-term costs could reach trillions due to asset buildups, munitions, veterans’ benefits, and interest on debt—meaning taxpayers may be paying for generations without a clear exit plan.
The White House faces a tough sell to secure a supplemental for the expanding Iran war as Republicans say there’s no urgent budget strain and Democrats are unlikely to back more funding in a midterm year, making passage likely to take weeks or months. Early estimates put the first week’s spending around $11 billion, and lawmakers warn that any package would require sustained bipartisan support to avoid an implied war authorization, even as public opinion sours and the costs influence the Pentagon’s budget planning ahead of next year’s defense funding.
Lawmakers released a conference version of the fiscal 2026 defense bill totaling $839 billion, restoring funding for the Navy’s F/A-XX and increasing the Air Force’s F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance program, including about $3.9 billion for both programs (roughly $3B for the F-47 and $972M for the F/A-XX). The bill also preserves the E-7 Wedgetail at about $1.1B, aligns F-35 purchases with Pentagon plans (47 aircraft in 2026) while funding sustainment and Block 4 upgrades, backs Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider at $1.9B, and expands shipbuilding and missile programs, including the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.
President Donald Trump proposed increasing U.S. military spending to $1.5 trillion in 2027 to build a 'Dream Military,' amid ongoing military operations and geopolitical ambitions, including potential territorial takeovers and increased defense contractor scrutiny.
Japan's cabinet approved a record $58 billion defense budget for 2026, focusing on modernizing its military with new ships, submarines, UAVs, missile systems, and modifications to existing carriers, amid increasing threats from neighboring nuclear powers and U.S. support.
Japan's Cabinet approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen (€48.82bn) for 2026, aiming to enhance its strike-back capabilities and coastal defense amid rising regional tensions, making it the world's third-largest defense spender after the US and China. The plan includes deploying long-range missiles, unmanned drones, and joint development of military technology, reflecting Japan's shift towards a more offensive military posture while maintaining its pacifist stance.
Japan's Cabinet approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for 2026, aiming to enhance its military capabilities amid rising tensions with China, including missile and drone deployments, and plans for joint development of advanced weapons with allies. The move marks Japan's commitment to increasing its military spending to 2% of GDP, driven by regional security concerns and U.S. pressure, while also seeking to bolster its defense industry and strategic partnerships.
Japan's cabinet has approved a record ¥9tn ($58bn) defense budget to enhance strike-back capabilities and coastal defenses amid escalating tensions with China, which has criticized Japan's space and military developments. The budget increase is part of Japan's plan to double its arms spending to 2% of GDP, focusing on unmanned drones and missile systems, as tensions with China and the US over Taiwan continue to rise. China has condemned Japan's space technology advancements and military activities, accusing them of fueling an arms race, while Japan emphasizes its defensive posture within constitutional limits.
Japan's Cabinet approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for 2026, aiming to enhance strike-back capabilities and coastal defense amid rising tensions with China, including deploying advanced missiles and unmanned drones, and accelerating military modernization.
Japan's Cabinet has approved a record 122.3 trillion yen ($782 billion) budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with over 9 trillion yen allocated for defense, aiming to strengthen coastal defenses amid rising regional tensions, particularly with China and the Taiwan issue. The country plans to double its defense spending to 2% of GDP, accelerate its timeline to meet this goal, and rely on imports for unmanned weapons to address manpower shortages, reflecting concerns over China's military activities near Japan.