Trump Proposes $893B Defense Budget With Fewer Jets, More Drones
President Donald Trump's draft 2026 defense budget of $892.6 billion shines the spotlight on next-generation weapons—such as long-range missiles and mini-drones—while reducing expensive hardware in the form of F-35 aircraft and Navy vessels.
The budget, published on Wednesday, aims to reallocate money to quick-strike weapons, unmanned aircraft systems, and military pay, eliminating older programs and more than 7,000 civilian Navy positions. It also consolidates Department of Energy nuclear activities and homeland security programs.
The White House explained the budget would fund deterrence against China in the Indo-Pacific region and support U.S. defense production.
Fewer F-35 Aircraft, More Funds for Missile Programs
Trump's budget only asks for 47 F-35 aircraft, a reduction from 68 in Biden's previous budget. Funding is instead going towards weapons such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, produced by Lockheed Martin.
Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee is seeking to raise F-35 purchases to 69, a single additional aircraft compared with Biden's proposal, which indicates the fighter jet program is still contentious among Congress members.
The Navy intends to acquire merely three ships under this bill, with additional purchases anticipated in other bills. A single Virginia-class submarine and 15 other ships are likely to be financed in subsequent bills.
Pay Hike for Soldiers but Reductions in Personnel and Aging Equipment
Soldiers will get a 3.8% increase in pay, reaffirming Trump's commitment to military personnel. Meanwhile, the Pentagon will be retiring aging, costly ships and planes, reducing expenditures.
The budget also prioritizes lessons learned in recent conflicts in Ukraine, specifically raising funds for small drones, which have been critical in low-budget, high-impact operations. The polarizing Golden Dome missile defense shield, one of Trump's proudest initiatives, is getting a $25 billion head start in this separate bill, not part of this present proposal.
Congress on Brink of Budget Fight Over Defense Priorities
With Trump's overall $150 billion "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" being advanced by Republicans, with early Golden Dome funding included, tensions on Capitol Hill are likely to increase over which defense programs have the highest priority.
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