The Trump administration has unveiled a record $1.5 trillion defense spending plan for fiscal year 2027, marking the first time the Pentagon’s total projected budget has crossed the $1 trillion base-budget threshold.
According to figures released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the administration is seeking $1.15 trillion in the base defense budget, alongside an additional $350 billion through a forthcoming reconciliation bill, bringing the total to $1.5 trillion.
However, projections suggest that the figure may fall to $1.28 trillion in 2028 and rise only modestly to $1.35 trillion by 2031 if future reconciliation funding is not approved.
This raises the possibility that FY27 may represent a one-year surge rather than a sustained spending trajectory.
Navy Receives Largest Share of New Spending
The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps are set to receive the largest share of planned spending.
The Department of the Navy is allocated $150 billion, including:
- $126 billion in base budget funding
- $24 billion from reconciliation
A major driver is shipbuilding.
The Navy is requesting $65.8 billion for shipbuilding alone, a steep increase from $27.2 billion in FY26.
Aircraft procurement also rises sharply to $34.4 billion, while weapons procurement is set at $22.6 billion.
The Navy is additionally seeking $140 million for the next-generation F/A-XX fighter program.
Space Force Sees Massive 77% Increase
One of the biggest winners in the FY27 plan is the United States Space Force, which is slated for a dramatic 77% budget increase.
The service’s top-line request reaches $71.2 billion, up from $40 billion in FY26.
Much of the increase is driven by research and development.
The Space Force’s RDT&E budget nearly doubles, reaching $40.7 billion, with key programs including:
- Space-Based Moving Target Indicator
- Space-Based Air Moving Target Indicator
- Proliferated Low Earth Orbit SATCOM
Personnel numbers are also set to rise from 10,657 to 13,200 active personnel.
Air Force Expands F-47 and Drone Programs
The United States Air Force also receives a major funding boost.
Its research and development account is set at $74.2 billion, up from approximately $57 billion in FY26.
A key beneficiary is the F-47 stealth fighter, with a request of roughly $5 billion, ahead of a planned first flight in 2028.
The budget also includes:
- nearly $1 billion for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone wingmen
- $403 million for the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile
- $11.4 billion for missile procurement
This signals a major push toward next-generation airpower and autonomous systems.
Golden Dome Missile Shield and Force Expansion
The proposed Golden Dome missile shield would receive $17.5 billion, though most of that depends on reconciliation funding.
Only $400 million is currently included in the base request.
The Pentagon also plans to increase active-duty force levels from 1,321,916 to 1,342,900, adding more than 20,000 personnel next year.
Army Focuses on Missiles and Armored Vehicles
The United States Army is requesting $54.7 billion in procurement funding.
One of the most striking increases comes in missile procurement, which jumps from just over $7 billion to $37 billion.
Key systems include:
- Precision Strike Missile
- THAAD
- HIMARS
- PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancer
- Typhoon Mid Range Capability
Meanwhile, manned aviation procurement sees sharp cuts, including Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook programs.
