Pentagon wants $54B for drones, more than most nations’ military budgets
Summary
The Pentagon has requested $1.5 trillion for the next fiscal year, with $54 billion specifically for drones and drone-related technology. This funding aims to expand drone production, operator training, logistics, and counter-drone defenses, making it one of the largest drone investments in US military history.Key Facts
- The Pentagon’s FY2027 budget includes $53.6 billion to increase drone production, training, logistics, and counter-drone systems.
- The Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG), started in 2025, will see a large budget increase from $226 million in 2026 to this new funding.
- Another $20.6 billion is requested for one-way attack drones and drone aircraft that can work with manned fighter jets.
- Some funds will support defensive systems against small drones and the Navy’s MQ-25 drone for midair refueling.
- This drone budget is larger than many countries’ entire military budgets and rivals the US Marine Corps' budget.
- The funding focuses mainly on existing drone systems and excludes support for building more manufacturing capacity.
- The US has used drones like the Predator and Reaper for surveillance and strikes for years.
- Recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, showed the impact of smaller drones and strike drones on modern battlefields.
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