{"id":25199,"date":"2020-12-28T19:03:40","date_gmt":"2020-12-28T19:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/12\/28\/new-in-2021-what-will-bidens-first-defense-budget-look-like\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:08:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:08:43","slug":"new-in-2021-what-will-bidens-first-defense-budget-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/transition\/2020\/12\/28\/new-in-2021-what-will-bidens-first-defense-budget-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"New in 2021: What will Biden\u2019s first defense budget look like?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

President-elect Joe Biden\u2019s<\/a> first federal budget proposal won\u2019t be out until early spring, but those initial decisions on military spending could set the tone for the Defense Department\u2019s focus for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically the White House unveils its annual budget proposal in early February, outlining plans for the armed forces\u2019 end strength levels, service equipment procurement schedules and program funding totals for the entire military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in presidential transition years, that work is often delayed until late March or April to give the new administration time to compile their financial goals and priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That switch from President Donald Trump\u2019s vision for the federal budget to Biden could be particularly stark, given their competing views for Pentagon funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the campaign trail, Biden pledged to \u201cmaintain our [military] superiority,\u201d but added that \u201cwe must do so affordably.\u201d He said his administration will emphasize diplomacy and economic aid over \u201caging legacy capabilities,\u201d but also pledged large investments in military unmanned vehicles and artificial intelligence systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\t