Overview
- The Pentagon, which released detailed figures Tuesday, submitted an FY2027 defense budget request for the year running October 2026 through September 2027.
- The plan seeks $53.6 billion for military unmanned aircraft and related technology, which the department called its largest investment in drones to date.
- Funding for the U.S. Space Force would nearly double to secure an edge in space.
- The request also backs force protection and growth, with $20.6 billion to counter enemy drones and a plan to increase troop strength by about 44,000.
- The defense-related total comes to about $1.5 trillion, a 42% rise from last year that Reuters reported is the biggest post–World War II year-on-year increase.