Pentagon budget overhaul: Hegseth pushes for 8% annual cuts
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has ordered the drafting of plans to reduce the defence budget by 8% annually over five years, reports The Washington Post.
The newspaper notes that the cuts will, among others, affect troops stationed in Europe. The document includes a list of 17 categories exempt from the cuts, including the modernisation of nuclear weapons.
Pentagon priorities
Hegseth's memorandum indicates a priority for the Indo-Pacific, Northern, and Space Commands, with less focus on the European and Central ones. "The time for preparation is over – we must act urgently to revive the warrior ethos, rebuild our military, and re-establish deterrence. Our budget will resource the fighting force we need, cease unnecessary defence spending, reject excessive bureaucracy, and drive actionable reform including progress on the audit," wrote Hegseth.
The plan is likely to face opposition in Congress, where both parties advocate for increased defence spending. Republicans have prepared two budget resolutions. The first proposes increasing defence and border protection spending by approximately $345 (£275) billion, while the second suggests a $100 (£80) billion increase in the defence budget. The current Pentagon budget is about $850 (£675) billion, but when combined with other security-related expenses, total defence spending rises to nearly $900 (£715) billion.
The proposed cuts are in contrast to Republican resolutions that call for increased defence spending. The current Pentagon budget is approximately $850 (£675) billion, and with other security-related expenses, it reaches nearly $900 (£715) billion. While visiting Europe, Hegseth urged allies to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP.
Donald Trump mentioned the desire to convene a conference with the participation of the USA, China, and Russia to agree on reducing defence budgets by up to half. The Washington Post highlights that the decision on defence spending rests with the president.
