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Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

US President Donald Trump is seeking congressional approval for US$1.5 trillion in defence spending in his new budget proposal, underscoring his administration’s focus on military…

By Samantha Johnson / April 3, 2026
US President Donald Trump is seeking congressional approval for US$1.5 trillion in defence spending in his new budget proposal, underscoring his administration’s focus on military investment as the country remains engaged in conflict in the Middle East.

The blueprint released by the White House on Friday for the financial year 2027 proposes a 44 per cent increase in the US defence budget – implementing the widely controversial plan first unveiled by Trump in a January social media post.

If approved, this would mark the highest military investment in US modern history, according to experts.

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According to the proposal released on Friday, the US Department of Defence will use these funds to “reinvest in the foundations of American military power – from defence industrial capacity to the readiness and health of the force – and ensure the United States maintains the world’s most powerful and capable military”.

By contrast, the 2027 budget proposal aims to cut non-defence spending by US$73 billion, a 10 per cent reduction, including housing, social services, healthcare and other domestic programmes.

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Key areas of this massive defence budget include expanding the US arsenal, strengthening the US Navy and modernising the nuclear force, according to the document.

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