The White House has proposed a massive increase in United States defence spending, requesting a budget of $1.5 trillion from Congress in what would be the largest military expansion since World War II. The proposal reflects President Donald Trump’s long-standing push to prioritise national security and strengthen America’s military capabilities.
If approved, the plan would significantly boost funding for the Pentagon and support the development of new defence technologies, including the administration’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system. The initiative is expected to include advanced layers of land, sea and space-based systems designed to counter emerging threats such as next-generation missiles and drones.
The proposal also outlines major investments in naval power, including the construction of a new fleet of warships referred to as “Trump-class battleships.” These vessels are intended to enhance the US Navy’s strength at a time when officials warn that the country is falling behind China in shipbuilding capacity and output.
According to the administration, the increased defence spending would be balanced by cuts to domestic programmes. Funding for sectors such as climate initiatives, housing and education could be reduced or eliminated under the plan. A summary of the budget states that savings would come from scaling back what it describes as “wasteful” or unnecessary programmes while shifting more responsibility to state governments.
Non-defence spending in the proposal is expected to drop by around 10%, amounting to roughly $73 billion in reductions. Trump has argued that resources should be focused on military protection rather than federal support for social programmes, suggesting that areas like healthcare and childcare could be managed at the state level.
The budget request is separate from an additional $200 billion already sought by the Pentagon to support ongoing military operations related to the conflict involving Iran. This highlights the growing financial demands of current global tensions as well as long-term defence planning.
Of the total proposed budget, about $1.1 trillion would go toward discretionary Pentagon spending, marking a record high. Another $350 billion would be allocated to strengthen the industrial defence base through a legislative process known as budget reconciliation, which allows certain measures to pass the Senate with a simple majority.
The proposal also includes pay raises for US troops and a significant $65.8 billion investment in shipbuilding. Among the projects is the construction of a new vessel, the USS Defiant, which Trump has said could become operational within two-and-a-half years. The broader goal is to create a “Golden Fleet” capable of maintaining US dominance at sea.
However, the ambitious plan has raised concerns among experts about its long-term cost. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the space-based components of the Golden Dome system alone could cost up to $542 billion over the next two decades. Analysts warn that the full programme could consume a substantial portion of the defence budget over time.
As the proposal heads to Congress, it is expected to face intense debate. Supporters argue that the investment is necessary to counter rising global threats, while critics question the impact of deep domestic spending cuts and the sustainability of such a large military budget.
