Department of the Air Force
The Department of the Air Force's Fiscal Year 2027 President's Budget request marks a fundamental strategic shift. This budget departs from previous practices and makes a conscious effort to prioritize investment in modernization and readiness, recognizing both as essential and non-negotiable. With a total request of $338.8 billion, this 38% increase over the FY26 enacted position is a generational investment designed to supercharge our Defense Industrial Base, sharpen our military readiness, and secure enduring Air and Space superiority.
The foundation of the DAF strategy is built on readiness, which is developed through our Operation and Maintenance (O&M) accounts. The DAF is making a significant investment of $101.5 billion to ensure that our forces are always prepared. More than half of this amount, specifically $52.5 billion, is directly linked to the DAF's essential readiness accounts, marking a 34% increase compared to the FY26 enacted budget. The overall O&M portfolio has seen a 23% increase, featuring $24.8 billion for Weapon System Sustainment and $9.9 billion allocated to the flying hour program at its maximum executable level, which adds 1.1 million flying hours. Additionally, there is a generational investment of $13.6 billion for Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) and $4.3 billion for Enterprise IT.
Our Airmen and Guardians are crucial to our readiness, and the $48.7 billion FY27 budget request reflects our commitment to them, ensuring we can recruit and retain the nation's best personnel to fund pay raises, end strength growth, and special pay and incentives. The DAF is also intentionally growing its ranks by adding 12,700 more Airmen and Guardians. This increase of $2.5 billion sharpens our competitive edge by expanding our force to meet global challenges while directly investing in our people.
While we sharpen the force of today, we are decisively investing in the force of tomorrow. The DAF's Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation request increases the budget 50%, bringing it to $98.2 billion. The DAF is focused on developing the next generation of dominance while modernizing the strategic deterrent, investing $2.9 billion to accelerate the B-21 Raider and $4.5 billion to secure our nation's land-based nuclear mission with the Sentinel program. In Space, we are forging a more resilient architecture demonstrated through a $6.8 billion investment in missile warning and another $6.7 billion in satellite communications, guaranteeing our dominance in the ultimate high ground.
To transition these future capabilities from concept to execution, the Department's FY27 procurement budget request will increase by an impressive 60%, totaling $73.3 billion. This request will equip our forces with a decisive mix of systems, procuring a multitude of aircraft, accelerating the production of munitions, and critical assets for Space. This budget will equip our forces with the necessary mix of systems, including a range of aircraft, accelerated munitions production, and critical assets for Space operations. It prioritizes both current and future combat capabilities, allocating $7.4 billion for 38 F-35 fighters and $1.1 billion for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). This budget also allocates $3.0 billion for 24 F-15EX fighters and $3.9 billion for 15 new KC-46A tankers, modernizing and expanding our proven assets. Additionally, $1.7 billion and $2.1 billion are allocated for Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles and the AMRAAM, respectively, enhancing readiness and deterrence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Finally, we are laying the groundwork for the future force with a $12.5 billion Military Construction budget request, representing a 105% increase from FY26. This request supports 58 major construction projects across the Department, preparing our bases for next-generation platforms and improving the quality of life for our Airmen and Guardians with new dormitories.
Overall, the FY27 Department of the Air Force budget request, considered a once-in-a-generation investment, demonstrates a strategic commitment to building the force of tomorrow while ensuring readiness for today.