Trump seeks more drones, missiles in $892.6b defense budget

Recommends a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has proposed an $892.6 billion defense and national security budget for 2026, keeping spending flat but shifting priorities. His plan includes fewer Navy jobs, ships, and fighter jets, while increasing investment in high-tech drones, advanced missiles, and troop pay raises.
The budget recommends a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel but aims to cut costs by retiring older ships and aircraft. Trump’s proposal also reduces the Navy’s civilian workforce by over 7,200 employees, as part of efforts to redirect funds toward emerging defense technologies.
Compared to President Biden’s previous request for 68 F-35 jets in 2025, Trump’s new plan only seeks 47. It also includes only three new warships. However, 15 additional ships and a Virginia-class submarine are expected to be covered in a separate Navy funding bill. The move has already sparked debate in Congress, where the House Defense Subcommittee wants to boost the F-35 purchase to 69.
The Pentagon will continue investing in long-range, high-impact missiles like the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile. These systems have proven effective in modern warfare and are being prioritized over other missile types.
The budget also boosts funding for small drones, based on lessons from the Ukraine war where drones played a crucial role in low-cost, high-impact operations. Trump’s controversial Golden Dome missile defense shield is being funded separately and is expected to receive an additional $25 billion under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which has passed the House.
While defense usually takes up half of the US discretionary budget, the rest supports sectors like education, transportation, and diplomacy. With this new proposal, Trump aims to reshape the military by focusing more on advanced, efficient systems and less on traditional heavy hardware.—Agencies