Trump’s $893 Billion Defense Budget Focuses on Drones, Missiles Over Fighter Jets

President Donald Trump’s defense and national security budget request for fiscal year 2026 totals $892.6 billion, remaining flat compared to the current year. The proposed budget emphasizes increased funding for advanced missiles and drones while reducing the number of F-35 fighter jets and Navy ships to control costs.

Trump’s request includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel and additional funding for homeland security and nuclear weapons programs managed by the Department of Energy. At the same time, the plan retires older ships and aircraft to cut operational expenses and reduces the Navy’s civilian workforce by more than 7,000 positions.

The budget is designed to deter Chinese military influence in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. Although most funding for Trump’s high-profile Golden Dome missile defense shield appears in a separate request, the proposed defense budget marks a shift toward new priorities.

In a notable change, Trump requests just 47 F-35 jets, compared to the 68 requested by former President Biden for fiscal year 2025. However, a draft bill from the House Appropriations Committee proposes increasing the purchase to 69 F-35s.

The Navy's procurement includes only three new warships under this proposal. Other vessels, including the Virginia-class submarine and 15 additional ships, may be funded through a separate appropriations bill.

The Air Force will continue investing in long-range missiles, including the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile. Both are seen as vital for operations in the Pacific.

Spending on small unmanned aircraft is also set to rise, reflecting lessons learned from recent conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, where drones have proven highly effective in modern warfare.

In contrast, the budget proposes reduced funding for the Army’s Precision Strike Missile program, which is intended to replace the ATACMS system currently used in Ukraine. Lockheed Martin manufactures all three missile systems included in the budget.

Meanwhile, Republicans continue to debate defense spending priorities in the broader $150 billion “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which has passed the House. This legislation would provide an additional $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile shield, underscoring the administration’s focus on missile defense systems.

Defense accounts for roughly half of the U.S. discretionary budget, with the remainder allocated to sectors like transportation, education, and diplomacy.