US President Donald Trump is set to unveil a US$1.5 trillion (S$1.9 trillion) defence budget request for the next fiscal year on April 3, by far the largest year-over-year increase in defence spending in the post-World War II era.
Funding for Mr Trump’s marquee but controversial US$185 billion “Golden Dome” missile defence shield is expected to be included in the budget request, as well as Lockheed Martin F-35 jets and warships.
Procurement of Virginia-class submarines made by General Dynamics, and Huntington Ingalls Industries as well as other top shipbuilding priorities is expected.
In 2025, Mr Trump asked Congress for a national defence budget of US$892.6 billion then added US$150 billion through a supplemental budget request, sending the total price tag over US$1 trillion for the first time in history.
While the budget request framework for the fiscal year ending Sept 30, 2027, is set to be unveiled on April 3, a Pentagon official said more details on the defence budget will be announced on April 21.
Earlier this year the administration was contemplating whether the US$1.5 trillion budget request could be in the form of a US$900 billion national security budget, with a US$400 billion to US$600 billion additional request, similar to the structure used in 2026.
The administration plans to use funds for more weapons production in the hopes of deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region and to rebuild weapons stocks depleted by conflicts in Israel, Iran and Ukraine.
Hellbound and Down 