WASHINGTON (Reuters)-United States President Donald Trump wants a salary increase for troops, more high-tech missiles and drones in the next year’s defense budget, while cutting into the navy and buys less combat ships and jets to save money, according to budget materials published on Wednesday.
At US $ 892.6 billion, the budget request for national defense and security is stable compared to this year.
The budget, which also includes activities related to nuclear weapons conducted by the Department of Energy and increases financing for internal security, places Trump’s brand in the Armed Forces, removing funds from weapons and services to finance their priorities.
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The White House said the financing will be used to stop Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific and revitalize the Defense Industrial Base.
Most of the Trump Golden Dome Antimissile Defense Shield was included in a separate budget request and is not part of the last proposal sent to Congress.
In the 2026 budget, Trump requested fewer F-35 jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin and only three war ships. It is expected that the acquisition of a Virginia class made by General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries and 15 other ships is included in a separate appropriation bill, the Navy said.
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The budget calls for a salary increase of 3.8% for troops, but also reduces costs by retiring older weapons, including ships and planes whose operation is more expensive. According to the plan, the Navy will reduce its civil servant workforce by 7,286 people.
Compared to Biden’s budget last year, which had requested 68 F-35 jets in the 2025 fiscal year, Trump’s request for the 2026 fiscal year seeks only 47 of these fighters.
The budget has already provoked a debate at the US Congress, where the Bill of the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for the 2026 Fiscal Year increases the purchase of F-35 to 69, one more than Biden’s request to 2025.
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The Pentagon continues to prioritize the purchase of important gun ammunition and systems.
The Air Force is continuing its investment in the Joint Air to Surface Senttoff-Extended Range and the long-range anti-navy missile, which have longer reach and can be more effective in the Pacific.
On the other hand, the budget seeks much less Precision Strike missiles, which will replace the Army Tactical Missile (ATACM) used in Ukraine. Lockheed Martin manufactures all three missiles.
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The budget also increases spending on small drones – partly due to the lessons learned in Ukraine, where unmanned aircraft proved to be an integral part of low -cost but highly effective combat.
Defense spending usually represents about half of US discretionary budget; The rest goes to transportation, education, diplomacy and other departments.
(Mike Stone report in Washington)
