New military budget seeks boost in spending on drones and air defense systems | AP News
AI Analysis
The U.S. military is proposing a significant increase in spending on drones and air defense systems, with a focus on counter-UAS technologies and missile interceptors. The proposed budget aims to address stockpile shortages exacerbated by the Iran war and enhance capabilities in drone warfare.
Key Takeaways
- Pentagon plans to triple spending on drones to over $74 billion.
- Over $30 billion allocated for missile interceptors, including Patriot and THAAD systems.
- Budget includes $21 billion for counter-drone systems.
- Drones and unmanned vehicles are critical in conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
- Largest investment in drone warfare and counter-drone technology in U.S. history.
Why It Matters
The proposed budget reflects the growing importance of drones and counter-UAS systems in modern warfare, highlighting the need for the U.S. to maintain technological superiority. This investment aims to address current stockpile deficiencies and enhance military readiness in response to evolving threats, particularly from state and non-state actors employing drone technology.
New military budget seeks boost in spending on drones and air defense systems | AP News
US military pushes for boost in 2027 spending on drones and air defenses used in Iran war
US military pushes for boost in 2027 spending on drones and air defenses used in Iran war
By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, BEN FINLEY and DAVID KLEPPER
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. military officials on Tuesday called for spending tens of billions of dollars in the next budget year on drones, air defense systems and fighter jets that have been a key part of fighting the Iran war.
As part of President Donald Trump’s push to boost defense spending to $1.5 trillion in the 2027 budget, the Pentagon wants to triple spending on drones and related technology to more than $74 billion and invest over $30 billion into more critical munitions, including missile interceptors, whose stockpiles have become critically low during the Iran war.
Military officials said the spending blueprint was developed before the conflict in the Middle East. They also did not discuss how much they will request in additional funds for the war, which would be on top of what the White House is seeking to boost defense spending in the next budget year.
“The overlap, you’ll see, is the request for munitions, which is something we always need,” Jules Hurst III, acting undersecretary of defense and the Pentagon’s comptroller, told reporters at a briefing. “We always need to increase our magazine depth. But outside of that, there aren’t any operational costs in here from Iran.”
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Heavy investment in drone warfare
The missile interceptors whose numbers are under the most strain are the Patriot and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, air defense systems. The THAAD system is designed for defeating medium-range ballistic missiles, while the Patriot system is for taking down short-range ballistic missiles and crewed aircraft. However, they both also were used to shoot down cheap Iranian drones.
The $30 billion budget item also would aim to purchase long-range Precision Strike Missiles and Mid-Range Capability missile systems used by the U.S. Army.
The budget proposal would allocate nearly $54 billion for military drones and related technology, as well as $21 billion for weapons systems designed to take down enemy drones.
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Drones and other unmanned vehicles have emerged as a key weapon in the wars in Ukraine and Iran, and top Pentagon officials say the U.S. must significantly increase its funding of both drones and counter-drone systems.
“Drone warfare is rapidly reshaping the modern battlefield,” Hurst said. “This budget is the largest investment in drone warfare and counter drone technology in U.S. history.”
As part of the 2027 budget, the Pentagon also intends to grow the military by 44,500 troops, or more than 2%, spend more than $2 billion on operations on the U.S.-Mexico border and make the largest shipbuilding request since 1962.