The United States Navy, along with Air force also sent a request to Congress for funding the purchase of aircraft, helicopters and drones. The service wants to receive more than $17 billion to achieve the goal.
What is known
The FY 2024 budget proposal includes $17.3 billion for the acquisition of several dozen aircraft, including 31 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. More details about the request can be found below:
- 15 F-35C fighters for the US Navy;
- 16 F-35B fighters for the US Marine Corps;
- 3 MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tankers for the US Navy;
- 2 MQ-4C Triton drones for the US Navy;
- 5 MQ-9A Reaper drones for the US Marine Corps;
- 15 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the US Marine Corps;
- 2 KC-130J Hercules air tankers for the US Marine Corps;
- 14 METS training platforms for the US Navy;
- 12 METS training platforms for the US Marine Corps.
Note that initially the US Navy planned to purchase four MQ-25A drones. The service also wants to order four drones in fiscal 2025-2027 and seven UAVs in fiscal 2028. The purchase of the MQ-4C will be the last, although the US Navy planned to order five more drones in fiscal year 2025. Five MQ-9A UAVs will be the last for the US Marine Corps.
Source: Defense News
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