A $962 billion defense budget focuses on shipbuilding, “Golden Dome” and nuclear deterrence
The U.S. Department of Defense has proposed a $961.6 billion budget request for FY 2026—an increase of $113.3 billion over FY 2025. Total national security spending exceeds $1 trillion, aiming to reverse four years of chronic underinvestment.
Key budget priorities
- Shipbuilding: $47 billion for 19 new ships, plus over $6 billion to support the shipbuilding industrial base.
- Golden Dome: $25 billion toward a national missile defense system against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic threats.
- Nuclear deterrence: Over $62 billion to modernize the nuclear triad—Columbia‑class submarines, GBSD intercontinental missiles, and B‑21 Raider.
- Next‑gen aviation: $3.5 billion for the F‑47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter.
Comments from Defense Secretary Hegseth
Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that this budget will restore military readiness, rebuild the defense industrial base, and accelerate deployment of cutting‑edge capabilities. He also noted concerns about China’s growing military expansion.
"This budget provides a historic level of funding for military readiness — putting our warfighters and their needs first — and young Americans are responding and signing up in droves," Hegseth said. "We are rebuilding our military; 25 years ago, our military was unchallenged, yet we squandered that advantage as China carried out an unprecedented military buildup."
Strategic context
This funding serves as the launchpad for an interim National Defense Strategy focused on homeland defense, Indo‑Pacific deterrence, and burden‑sharing with allies.
