Under Secretary Emil Michael argues massive Pentagon budget boost is essential for defense modernization
Emil Michael, the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, said the proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget is needed to update Cold-War-era weapons and integrate AI.
At a policy event titled “AI is Here: What to Fear, What to Embrace,” Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael told the audience that the Department of War’s current technology is largely a relic of the Cold War. He cited large aircraft, carriers and tanks as impressive but ill-suited for conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war, where drones dominate the battlefield. Michael said the president’s request for a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget—significantly higher than the usual trillion-dollar level—is a historic, one-off increase needed to fund AI-driven modernization.
He emphasized that the extra funds would help build a new stockpile of advanced weapons while keeping legacy systems in service, eventually normalizing the budget.
Why it matters
The defense budget request could reshape U.S. military capabilities and influence future AI integration in warfare.
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