WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is asking for $705.4 billion in its fiscal 2021 budget, $13 billion less than what Congress gave the Pentagon in fiscal 2020.
The White House on Monday officially released the broad details of President Donald Trump's fiscal 2021 budget request, which seeks a colossal $740.5 billion for national defense. The budget proposal for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 is being submitted to Congress on Monday.
The $705.4 billion Pentagon portion is composed of a base budget of $636.4 billion and $69 billion for overseas contingency operations funding, aka the war budget. The remainder of the overall $740.5 billion request funds nuclear weapons programs under the Department of Energy as well as other agencies.
Here is some of what the Pentagon is seeking:
- $15.1 billion for tactical fighter programs, procuring 115 advanced fighter aircraft, and fully supporting the modernization of one armored brigade combat team per year.
- $19.3 billion to buy 10 new battle force and unmanned ships, including the recapitalization of the strategic ballistic missile submarine fleet with the first Columbia-class SSBN.
- $111 million to fund essential personnel growth for the Pentagon's Space Force.
- $18 billion for space programs, including for the Space Development Agency and United States Space Command.
- $20.3 billion to strengthen missile defeat and defense capabilities.
- 3% increase in military basic pay.
- $14 billion for research, development, test and evaluation, the Pentagon's largest-ever request in industries of the future such as artificial intelligence, 5g and hypersonic weapons.