House Republicans Propose $1.5 Trillion Defense Plan, Boosting F-15EX Funding by $3.1 Billion

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has advanced a $1.5 trillion defense plan, which is set to be included in a comprehensive bill proposed by House Republicans to implement President Trump's legislative agenda. This plan allocates significant funding for various defense projects, with a particular focus on modernizing and expanding the U.S. military's capabilities.

The plan includes $340 billion for improving the U.S. maritime industrial base, $210 billion for military procurement, and $250 billion for the "Gold Dome" missile defense system. One of the key beneficiaries of this defense spending is the F-15EX fighter jet. The proposed legislation allocates $7.2 billion for the procurement and modernization of tactical aircraft, with $3.1 billion specifically earmarked for the F-15EX project. This funding is intended to expand the production scale of the F-15EX, which is primarily used as an air superiority platform. The U.S. Air Force has plans to acquire 98 F-15EX jets, although this number may be adjusted during the execution of the project. The funding could potentially be used to produce additional aircraft beyond the initial 98, or to accelerate the production of those already in the procurement plan.

The legislation also includes $1.2746 billion to prevent the retirement of F-15E "Strike Eagle" fighter jets. This funding is aimed at maintaining the operational readiness of these aircraft, which are highly valued for their speed, range, payload capacity, and crew size. The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) already prohibits the retirement of any F-15E jets before October 1, 2027, in response to the Air Force's controversial plan to retire 119 of these aircraft by 2028. The additional funding could help cover the maintenance costs of these jets or prevent the retirement of those that would otherwise be decommissioned due to high operating costs.

In addition to the F-15EX and F-15E, the proposed spending plan also allocates funds for next-generation air power projects. The sixth-generation manned fighter jet F-47 and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) unmanned aerial vehicle project receive $6.78 billion and $4 billion, respectively, to accelerate their development and production. The Navy's sixth-generation fighter jet, the F/A-XX, also receives $5 billion in additional funding to speed up the project's progress.

The legislation also includes $3.61 billion to prevent the retirement of older F-22 "Raptor" fighter jets. The Air Force has long faced pressure to retire part of its F-22 fleet as it prioritizes other projects. The funding is intended to upgrade and maintain these aircraft, which are crucial for air superiority missions. The Air Force had previously considered upgrading its 32 older Block 20 F-22 jets, but this proposal faced strong opposition.

Furthermore, the bill allocates $4.5 billion to accelerate the B-21 "Raider" stealth bomber project. Recent discussions have focused on increasing the number of B-21 bombers to be procured, with the current plan calling for 100 aircraft. The project has faced financial challenges, with Northrop Grumman reporting a $4.77 billion loss earlier this year due to rising manufacturing costs.

The legislation also includes $4.4 billion to increase the production of C-130J transport aircraft and $4.74 billion to increase the production of EA-37B "Compass Call" electronic warfare aircraft. Additionally, $1.6 billion is proposed to accelerate the short-bay improvement work for the V-22 "Osprey" tiltrotor aircraft.

The use of these funds, particularly for the F-15EX and F-15E projects, remains somewhat unclear. The exact number of F-15EX aircraft to be produced and the specific F-15E jets that will be protected from retirement are not yet determined. However, the legislation clearly demonstrates the commitment of lawmakers to the continued utility of these closely related tactical air assets. The plan reflects a strategic focus on enhancing air superiority and modernizing the U.S. military's air power capabilities, ensuring that the nation remains at the forefront of defense technology and readiness.