The Pentagon releases its $686 billion budget request for Fiscal 2019, including increases in acquisition for jets, subs, other hardware and troop increases.

President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2019 budget request includes almost $686 billion to position the military for a more global fight, even as it replenishes aircraft and missiles that have worn out faster than planned due to counter terrorism operations.

The request would procure more fighters and ships, purchase tens of thousands of munitions to replenish stocks used in operations against the Islamic State, and infuse money into both the nuclear triad and missile defense.

Here are some highlights:

F-35 Joint Strike Fighters

The budget sets aside $10.7 billion to buy 77 of the fifth-generation fighters.

Joint Direct Attack Munitions

The budget request asks for $1.2 billion to procure 43,594 JDAMs.

Joint Light Tactical Vehicles

DoD wants to buy 5,113 JLTVs, estimated to cost $2 billion.

KC-46 Tanker

About $3 billion would be used on 15 of the new tankers, meant to replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker.

F/A-18s

DoD wants to buy 24 F/A-18s, estimated to cost $2 billion.

VH-92 Presidential Helicopters

The budget request includes $900 million to buy six new presidential helicopters.

Virginia Class submarines

The Navy wants two of these submarines, which will cost $7.4 billion.

DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

The request includes $6 billion for three of these destroyers.

B-21 Raider Long Range Strike Bomber

About $2.3 billion is set aside for the long-awaited B-21, which would be part of the nuclear triad.

In addition to the weapons systems above, other highlighted requests include:

Aircraft

  • 60 AH-64E attack helicopters, worth $1.3 billion.
  • 10 P-8A aircraft at $2.2 billion.
  • 8 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters worth $1.6 billion.

Ships

  • 1 Littoral Combat Ship worth $1.3 billion.
  • Continued development funding for the CVN-78 Class Aircraft Carrier, worth $1.8 billion.
  • 2 Fleet Replenishment Oilers (T-AO) priced at $1.1 billion.
  • 1 Expeditionary Sea Base for $700 million.

Ground Systems

  • 5,113 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for $2.0 billion.
  • M-1 Abrams tank modifications costing $2.7 billion.
  • 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles for $300 million.
  • 197 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles for $800 million.

Deterrence

  • Columbia Class Submarine worth $3.7 billion.
  • Long-Range Stand-Off Missile for $600 million.
  • Ground Based Strategic Deterrent for $300 million.

Tara Copp is a Pentagon correspondent for the Associated Press. She was previously Pentagon bureau chief for Sightline Media Group.

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