Defense Budget and Acquisition

CSIS experts track the foremost budget issues in the defense policy sphere, exploring trends in the overall defense budget, military readiness, force structure, defense acquisition, and military compensation in a broader effort to assess the alignment of the country’s defense strategy and its resources.

Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Tracking FY 2027 Defense Appropriations, Reconciliation, and the Supplemental Request

As the October 1 start of the fiscal year (FY) approaches, Congress has yet to enact defense funding for FY 2027. Seamus Daniels outlines the current status of legislation in response to the Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request.

Critical Questions by Seamus P. Daniels — August 18, 2026

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Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Alek Jovovic

Alek Jovovic

Deputy Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Are SBIR “Mills” Truly a Problem?

The Small Business Innovation Research Program has faced suggestions that a small number of “mills” receive a disproportionate share of awards while underperforming on innovation and commercialization metrics. An analysis of grant recipient data suggests this pattern reflects a division between specialized defense research contractors and dual-use venture-backed companies.

Commentary by Jacob Schwandt and Jerry McGinn — August 17, 2026

Government Lending 2.0: Putting a Price on Policy Risk

As federal credit becomes increasingly utilized, federal agencies need a framework to quantify policy risk and create a common language to balance strategic priorities with financial risks.

Commentary by Adam Frost and Jack Whitney — August 12, 2026

Flipping the Script: How to Hold China’s New Carriers at Risk

For two decades, the debate has fixated on whether China can sink a U.S. aircraft carrier. This report flips the script: as Beijing builds its own fleet of high-value carriers, how can the United States and its allies hold China’s carriers at risk?

Report by Benjamin Jensen, Mackenzie Eaglen, Henry H. Carroll, and Harold "Bud" Bishop — August 3, 2026

Six Reasons Why the United States Is Low on Munitions

The Iran war has exacerbated the Pentagon’s shortage of key munitions, but it is not the only cause. There are also longstanding strategic, operational, and institutional reasons.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — July 31, 2026

Reindustrialization and Great Power Competition: Deterrence by Capacity

The United States uses more munitions than are stockpiled, and its adversaries are noticing. In this piece, Dr. Benjamin Jensen argues that using capacity, a coefficient of deterrence, can alter the time horizon to solve the "empty bins" problem in Washington.

Brief by Benjamin Jensen — July 27, 2026

Aligning the U.S. and Canadian Defense Industrial Bases

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn unpacks U.S.-Canadian industrial integration with Ms. Joanne Lostracco, Minister at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Director General of Defence Procurement with Public Services & Procurement Canada.

Event — July 13, 2026

War Costs Make Up a Third of the $87.6 Billion Supplemental Request

About one-third of the Trump administration’s $87.6 billion supplemental request is driven by costs related to the Iran war. The remainder funds other administration priorities, both defense and domestic. Some war costs will have to be covered by other budget mechanisms.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — July 13, 2026