Archive · 26 Jun 2025
Trump's Budget Prioritizes Missiles and Drones
Donald Trump's new defense budget asks for almost the same amount of money as the last one, but with some changes.
Soldiers will get a pay raise.
The plan focuses on advanced weapons like missiles and small drones, which have proven useful.
However, the budget cuts spending on some older equipment to make room for other priorities.
This budget is meant to prepare for potential problems in the Pacific and help the companies that make military equipment.
Trump's defense budget requests $892.6 billion for national security.
The budget includes a 3.8% pay raise for troops.
The budget prioritizes high-tech missiles and drones while cutting spending on older weaponry.
The budget seeks fewer F-35 jets than Biden's last budget request.
The Navy will reduce its civilian workforce by 7,286 people.
- Who
- Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Defense.
- What
- Trump's defense budget request, including troop pay raises, new weaponry, and cuts to existing programs.
- When
- Fiscal year 2026.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- To deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific and revitalize the U.S. defense industrial base.
Biden Administration/Democrats
Republicans
F-35 Procurement
Biden Administration/Democrats
Biden's 2025 budget requested 68 F-35 jets.
Republicans
Trump's budget seeks only 47 F-35 fighter jets.
Congressional Defense Spending Priorities
Biden Administration/Democrats
Unspecified.
Republicans
The House Appropriations Committee’s Defense subcommittee’s draft bill for fiscal-year 2026 boosts the F-35 buy to 69.
- Budget Request
- $892.6 billion
- Troop Pay Raise
- 3.8%
- F-35 Jets Requested
- 47
- Navy Civilian Workforce Reduction
- 7,286
- Missile Prioritization
- JASSM-ER and LRASM
Sources
Trump wants more drones and missiles, fewer F-35s in $893 billion budget request
Donald Trump wants more drones and missiles, fewer F-35s in $893 billion budget request
Trump's 2026 Defence Plan: More Drones, Fewer Ships And F-35s