Trump’s 2026 Budget Shifts Defense Priorities Toward Drones, Missiles, and Military Pay Raises
U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a defense budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 that prioritizes modern technologies such as missiles and drones, alongside increasing military pay. To offset costs, the plan includes cuts in ship and fighter jet procurement and a reduction in Navy civilian jobs.
The proposed $892.6 billion budget for defense and national security remains flat compared to the current year. It includes funding for the Department of Energy’s nuclear programs and an increase in domestic security spending.
According to the White House, the budget focuses on deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific and revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base. The plan reflects Trump’s strategic shift, reallocating funds from traditional weapons and services toward advanced technology initiatives.
Trump’s controversial “Golden Dome” missile defense program is part of a separate funding request and is not included in this main proposal sent to Congress. However, the House of Representatives has already approved an initial $25 billion for the program as part of a broader $150 billion Republican defense package dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Key highlights from the 2026 proposal include:
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A request for only 47 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, compared to 68 requested in Biden’s final budget;
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Only three military ships scheduled for procurement;
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A reduction of 7,286 civilian jobs in the U.S. Navy;
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A 3.8% pay raise for military personnel;
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Fewer high-precision missiles to replace Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) used in Ukraine;
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Increased funding for small drones, reflecting lessons learned from Ukraine where UAVs have become critical to modern, cost-effective warfare.
The Navy noted that the purchase of a Virginia-class submarine and 15 additional ships would be addressed in a separate appropriations bill. The Pentagon continues to prioritize munitions and key weapons systems, including long-range anti-ship missiles seen as essential for Pacific theater operations.
The budget has already sparked debate on Capitol Hill. The House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee’s version of the 2026 bill calls for 69 F-35s—one more than Biden’s 2025 request.
Defense spending traditionally accounts for about half of the U.S. discretionary budget, with the remainder allocated to transportation, education, diplomacy, and other departments.
