US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has strongly defended the Trump administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget, calling it a necessary response to what he described as an increasingly volatile global security environment. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said the funding level reflects “the urgency of the moment” and is aimed at ensuring the US maintains military dominance amid rising geopolitical tensions involving China, Russia, and Iran.

Hegseth told lawmakers that the proposed budget would serve as a “generational reset” for the US armed forces, reversing what he called years of underinvestment and inefficiency. He said the funds would strengthen military readiness, expand industrial production capacity, and accelerate development of advanced weapons systems. According to him, the goal is to ensure the armed forces are prepared for both current conflicts and future threats across multiple domains, including cyber, space, and missile defence.

A key feature of the proposal, Hegseth noted, is a seven percent pay increase for junior enlisted personnel, along with improvements in housing and welfare conditions. He also said the budget would eliminate all “poor or failing barracks” across military installations, framing the changes as part of a broader effort to improve troop morale and retention. He emphasised that supporting service members remains central to maintaining operational strength and readiness.

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The Defence Secretary also highlighted sweeping changes in Pentagon procurement practices, stating that the department has moved away from a bureaucratic model toward a more business-oriented system designed to speed up delivery and reduce costs. He pointed to more than $50 billion in private-sector investments linked to defence initiatives, including the development of 280 new or expanded facilities and the creation of over 70,000 jobs, describing it as a major boost to US defence manufacturing capabilities.

On ongoing tensions with Iran, Hegseth claimed US military operations have significantly weakened Tehran’s capabilities and reduced its ability to rebuild key defence infrastructure at scale. He argued that the campaign has strengthened Washington’s strategic position and deterrence, particularly in preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions. He added that the administration is maintaining strong pressure to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.

Hegseth also dismissed criticism of US military actions, warning that what he described as “defeatist rhetoric” could undermine operational success. He said the current defence strategy is focused on increasing “lethality and survivability” across all branches of the military. The proposed budget, he added, is designed to ensure the US remains fully prepared for high-intensity conflicts while sustaining recruitment and retention, which he said are currently showing positive trends among young Americans joining the armed forces.

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