Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth mounted a forceful defence of President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget, arguing it reflects “the urgency of the moment” and is essential to counter a rapidly deteriorating global security environment.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth said the record request would “position our forces for the current and future fights” while reversing years of “underinvestment and mismanagement.” “The $1.5 trillion budget will ensure that the United States continues to maintain the world’s most powerful and capable military,” he said.
Hegseth framed the proposal as a generational reset of US military strength, highlighting investments in industrial capacity, advanced weapons and troop welfare. He pointed to a “seven per cent” pay increase for junior enlisted personnel and said the budget would eliminate “all poor or failing barracks.” He argued that the campaign had strengthened US leverage to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
