The Pentagon talked about the role of the US defense budget for 2026 in deterring China

The draft US defense budget for fiscal year 2026 proposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, assumes strengthening the country's security and containing China in the Indo-Pacific region. This was announced on June 26 by representatives of the Pentagon during a press conference.

"This historic defense budget prioritizes strengthening domestic security, containing <China> in the Indo-Pacific [region], reviving the defense industrial base and maintaining our commitment to the principles of fair use of taxpayers' money," said a senior department official.

It is specified that the request for the defense budget was increased by 13.4% compared to the 2025 fiscal year. According to the draft, $197.4 billion will be allocated for the needs of the army, $292.2 billion for the Navy, $301.1 billion for the Air Force and $170.9 billion for defense needs in general. At the same time, the budget for the Air Force also includes $ 40 billion for the Military Space Forces (VKS).

$60 billion will be used to modernize nuclear power plants, and another $25 billion for initial investments in the Golden Dome missile defense system. At the same time, $6.5 billion from the budget will be invested in conventional and non-hypersonic ammunition, and another $3.9 billion in hypersonic weapons.

The project also involves financing the creation of 19 new naval warships while maintaining 287 operational ones.

"In addition to the material part, the presidential budget also provides for combat readiness and training, as well as improving the quality of life of military personnel and their family members," the US Department of Defense emphasized.

Thus, a Pentagon spokesman said that it is expected to increase salaries for military personnel by 3.8%, as well as investments of $ 5 billion in housing for them. The same amount will be used to ensure the security of American borders.

"The $5 billion we are requesting is intended [to finance] our troops who are actually [on the border]," a senior Pentagon official said.

Punch to failure: what the American GBU-57 bomb is capable of and is not capable of

Iran claims that it proved powerless against nuclear facilities hidden deep under the rocks.

On June 26, the Pentagon announced plans to spend $3.4 billion on a new F-47 fighter jet. The United States also intends to reduce the purchase of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets in 2026. It is specified that instead of 74 aircraft, only 47 will be purchased. This is due to the minimal production rates.