Pentagon braces for sweeping cuts as Musk’s efficiency team targets military budget

The Pentagon is bracing for significant cuts to its massive budget, with some branches of the military already identifying outdated and unnecessary weapon systems for potential cancellation.

In a bid to streamline federal spending, officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are set to visit the Department of Defence as early as February 14, according to sources familiar with the plans, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed a welcoming stance, saying, “We welcome DOGE to the Pentagon,” amid growing concerns about inefficiencies in military spending. As part of the Trump administration’s push to trim down the federal workforce, DOGE has been embedded in several agencies, scrutinizing budgets and systems.

President Trump’s executive order this week granted DOGE increased authority to reduce the size of the federal workforce, including the Defence Department’s 3 million personnel.

The Pentagon, with a budget exceeding $800 billion, represents a significant portion of the federal budget, making it a prime target for scrutiny. Yet, as experts warn, cutting military spending risks damaging local economies reliant on military contracts.

“People are offering up things sacrificially, hoping that will prevent more cuts,” said one defence official, referring to the Army’s list of outdated drones and surplus vehicles that could potentially save billions.

The Navy has also proposed cuts to its frigates and littoral combat ships, and while the Air Force has not confirmed specific reductions, Musk has previously criticized the F-35 stealth fighters, calling the program a “flop.”

While some military officials see this as an opportunity to shed obsolete equipment, others fear the political backlash that typically accompanies defence cuts. “There is a different mindset now where the administration is willing to make cuts that will upset constituencies,” said Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Concerns over potential conflicts of interest have also arisen, given Musk’s extensive Pentagon contracts through companies like SpaceX. “The White House should be enforcing the law and making sure he’s not in conflict,” warned Senator Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.).

Despite the potential for large-scale reductions, lawmakers from both parties are expected to resist cuts to critical defence systems, especially those tied to local economies and defence contractors.

By Aghakazim Guliyev