Biden administration proposes Pentagon budget of nearly $850B for fiscal 2025

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration submitted a proposed fiscal year 2025 budget request of $849.8 billion to Congress on Monday for the US Department of Defense.

"This request will bolster our ability to defend our country, paced to the challenge posed by an increasingly aggressive People's Republic of China,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

"It will better posture us to deter aggression against the United States, or our allies and partners, while also preparing us to prevail in conflict if necessary," he added.

Austin said it will continue to forge a "more resilient" joint force and a modern defense ecosystem built for the security challenges of the 21st century and will strengthen the unmatched global network of alliances and partnerships that magnifies the country's power and deepens its security.

According to the statement, the budget request will also allow the Pentagon to invest in capabilities to maintain a "ready, lethal and combat-credible" joint force with a laser focus on the pacing challenge from China, as well as the "acute threat" posed by Russia.

"This budget request is consistent with the funding levels approved by Congress under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Under these caps, we made difficult but responsible decisions focusing on maintaining our military's readiness and taking care of our personnel," Austin said.