UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his defense budget plans following the resignation of Defense Minister John Healey. Starmer stated the budget ensures a significant, sustainable increase in defense spending, providing necessary resources for the military and clarity for the defense industry.
KMT Chairwoman's US visit advocating for an "AI defense strategy" for Taiwan has drawn criticism from DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu, who points out the KMT caucus in the legislature cut funding for AI-assisted C5ISR systems and drone projects that she now promotes abroad.
Taiwan's defense budget for US arms sales faces potential delays. The article urges Taiwan to clarify payment schedules and training arrangements for HIMARS and other weapons, emphasizing that self-preparedness is crucial regardless of US decisions.
Taiwan's legislature is embroiled in political conflict over the defense budget and a three-shift nurse-patient ratio system. The author criticizes the focus on partisan attacks and emotional mobilization over substantive policy discussion, urging a return to rational debate for the public good.
The article criticizes opposition parties in Taiwan for cutting defense budgets, arguing it weakens the island's self-defense against China's stated goal of "unification" and citing Ukraine as a cautionary tale. It asserts that peace is defended, not begged for.
KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun questioned the government's defense budget, particularly regarding drones and submarines. Premier Cho Jung-tai refuted her claims of deception, stating her consistent opposition to drone and submarine development. Ma argued that funds are dispersed and questioned their effectiveness, while Cho defended the long-term strategy and the efforts of defense personnel.
Legislator Ma Wen-chun criticized the Ministry of National Defense's budget allocation, arguing that Taiwan's defense issues stem from delayed military projects rather than insufficient funds. She highlighted issues with F-16V fighter jets, Stinger missiles, submarines, and M1A2 tanks, questioning the actual formation of combat power despite budget approval.
Pakistan plans to increase its defense budget by PKR 100 billion for the next fiscal year, reaching PKR 2.665 trillion, as part of an IMF-backed reform program. The budget also projects a significant rise in federal revenues and combined government spending.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion military budget amid congressional scrutiny over the Iran war's escalating costs, now at $29 billion. Lawmakers questioned the strain on weapons stockpiles, while Hegseth acknowledged increased production to support ongoing operations and future needs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion military budget amid congressional scrutiny over the Iran war's escalating costs, now at $29 billion. Lawmakers questioned the strain on weapons stockpiles, while Hegseth acknowledged increased production to support ongoing operations and future needs.
Israel will invest 350 billion shekels ($119 billion) in its defense budget over the next ten years to develop domestic munitions production capacities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced. The investment aims to ensure Israel is not dependent on foreign sources for weapons and includes development of Israeli-made aircraft. Netanyahu also ordered a special project to thwart drone threats several weeks ago.
Andrey Marochko also suggested that Kiev is building defenses on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, including to "drain funds from the general defense budget"
The Pentagon revealed President Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027, the largest year-over-year increase in the post-WWII era. The budget creates a 'presidential priorities' category covering Golden Dome missile defense, drone dominance, AI and data infrastructure. It includes $65 billion for 18 warships under the 'Golden Fleet' initiative, $53.6 billion for autonomous drones, and ramps F-35 procurement to 85 aircraft annually. The request does not include funding for the Iran conflict, with a supplemental budget expected for those costs.
The Pentagon has requested $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the 2027 budget, tripling drone-related spending to over $74 billion and allocating $30 billion for critical munitions including missile interceptors. Military officials disclosed that Patriot and THAAD air defense systems have become critically low during the Iran war. The budget also includes $21 billion for counter-drone systems, $2 billion for U.S.-Mexico border operations, and represents the largest shipbuilding request since 1962.
Earlier, leader of the Liberal Democrats opposition party Ed Davey put forward a similar idea
