Defense Budget Analysis

The Defense Budget Analysis Program leads the Center’s efforts to provide in-depth, nonpartisan research and analysis of defense funding issues

Led by fellow Seamus Daniels, the program explores trends in the overall defense budget, military readiness, force structure, defense acquisitions, and military compensation in a broader effort to assess the alignment of the country’s defense strategy and its resources.

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Photo: Architect of the Capitol

Photo: Architect of the Capitol

What Are Key Milestones and Decisions Affecting U.S. Defense Spending in 2025?

Congress and the White House face a host of fiscal challenges and decisions over the course of 2025—including the debt ceiling, appropriations for both FY 2025 and FY 2026, and tax cuts—that will impact U.S. defense spending.

Commentary by Seamus P. Daniels — February 14, 2025

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Air Force Priorities in an Era of Strategic Competition

Please join the CSIS Aerospace Security Project and Defense Budget Analysis program on January 24 at 11:00am for a conversation on the Air Force’s budgetary priorities with the Under Secretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs.

Event — January 24, 2024

Air Force Priorities in an Era of Strategic Competition

The CSIS Aerospace Security Project and Defense Budget Analysis program hosted a conversation on the Air Force’s budgetary priorities with the Under Secretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs.

Transcript — January 24, 2024

Measuring Congressional Impact on Defense Acquisition Funding

This study measures Congress’s impact on defense acquisition funding by comparing actual funding levels for procurement and RDT&E accounts with the original levels proposed in the Defense Department’s budget request and identifies trends in congressional actions.

Report by Seamus P. Daniels and Todd Harrison — March 14, 2022

Analysis of the FY 2022 Defense Budget

This report assesses the Biden administration’s FY 2022 defense budget request. It outlines the priorities and potential effects of ongoing strategic reviews, tracks current congressional action on FY 2022 defense appropriations, and identifies key issues for FY 2023.

Report by Todd Harrison and Seamus P. Daniels — December 13, 2021

Financing the Fight

As Congress begins debating budget processes in DoD, it will need to assess the processes for utilizing approved budgets, or budget execution. This report provides a history and assessment of DoD budget execution processes and offers recommendations to improve them.

Report by Robert F. Hale — November 2, 2021

Battle Networks and the Future Force

This paper draws on lessons from previous attempts to improve battle network integration and explores how DoD can properly scope the problem and organize itself to effectively and efficiently acquire the systems needed to realize its vision for JADC2.

Brief by Todd Harrison — November 2, 2021