Senator Wicker unveils historic defence vision to strengthen US military $200 Billion Budget Boost

US Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), newly appointed chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, outlined his 2025 goals, including a major increase in defence funding and extensive reforms to defence acquisition.

Wicker outlined his vision for enhancing the US military’s capabilities through a $200 billion boost to the Pentagon’s budget, with the funding expected to be incorporated into the Republicans’ reconciliation package, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

A key focus of Wicker’s funding proposal is the establishment of an Iron Dome-like missile defence system over the US, aligning with one of former President Donald Trump’s major defence priorities. Wicker suggested that the funding increase could also facilitate investments in critical areas such as shipbuilding, submarines, and the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. Wicker emphasized the need for adequate funding to ensure the success of Trump’s vision to "restore peace through strength" and avoid conflict.

Additionally, Wicker is pushing for significant changes in defence procurement through his proposed Fostering Reform and Government Efficiency in Defence (FORGED) Act. The proposed reforms aim to modernize the Defence Department and improve the efficiency of its acquisition processes.

Wicker confirmed that he is working to secure support from both Trump and Republican Party leadership for a substantial defence funding increase as part of the current reconciliation negotiations. He also plans to use the fiscal year 2026 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) to pass the FORGED Act, which he believes will address long-standing inefficiencies within the Pentagon’s procurement system.

The proposed budget increase of $100 billion per year over the next two years would represent a 10 percent rise from the FY25 NDAA's defence allocation. Wicker stated that this increase would be pivotal in accelerating the construction of warships, submarines, and other critical assets, while also supporting the development of an American version of the Iron Dome missile defence system.

Acknowledging the technical and financial challenges of such an endeavour, Wicker underscored the urgency of implementing a space-based missile defence shield to protect the US.

Furthermore, Wicker highlighted the importance of continued funding for the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, which faces budget uncertainty as the service grapples with other high-cost modernization projects.

Wicker reiterated that the Pentagon’s decision to pause the NGAD program was only temporary, and the need for a manned sixth-generation fighter remains crucial to US air superiority.

By Aghakazim Guliyev