Pentagon budget 2027: US Navy bolsters munitions funding

The US Navy fiscal year 2027 spending request calls for the procurement of more Standard Missiles (SMs) like the SM-6 shown here being launched. (US Navy)

The proposed US Navy (USN) fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget includes about USD22.6 billion for munitions procurement and associated programmes, more than double the USD10.2 billion requested for USN munitions acquisition in FY 2026, according to documents outlining the budget proposal released on 21 April.

The FY 2027 munitions request breaks down as follows: USD14.9 billion for Munitions Advisory Council (MAC) munitions such as Standard Missile (SM)-6, Precision Strike Missile (PSM), and Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE); USD3.9 billion for nuclear weapons; USD2.5 billion for ship weapons; USD400 million for air weapons; and USD900 million for other weapons.

The FY 2027 request also includes USD1.6 billion to increase production and strengthen secondary and tertiary suppliers for “continuity of critical components”, the documents said.

It would begin procurement of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic weapon by requesting 12 CPS missiles via discretionary funding in FY 2027 and a total of 59 CPS missiles across the future years defense programme (FYDP) that goes through FY 2031, budget documents show.

With the FY 2027 request, the USN seeks to increase procurement for SMs, Tactical Tomahawks (TATCOMs), Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), and initiate procurement of PAC-3s.

Lockheed Martin confirmed in a 21 April statement during the Navy League's Sea Air Space 2026 maritime symposium in National Harbor, Maryland, that the company had received a contract from the US government for the development, integration, and testing of PAC-3 MSE into the Aegis Combat System.