U.S. military airpower, House Republicans have unveiled a sweeping budget reconciliation package that proposes a $150 billion surge in defense spending. The centerpiece of the package? Tactical fighter jets — with Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II leading the charge.
The bill, designed as a fast-track supplement to the fiscal 2025 defense budget, outlines $7.2 billion for tactical aircraft procurement and modernization. The proposal reflects a growing sense of urgency in Washington to bolster the United States Air Force (USAF), which military leaders warn is overstretched amid rising global threats, particularly from China.
At the heart of the package is a massive $3.1 billion earmarked for the F-15EX Eagle II, the latest variant of the legendary F-15 Eagle. Full-scale production of the F-15EX began in June 2024, and the new funding could significantly expand the fleet beyond the previously approved 98 aircraft.
Initially, the Air Force had planned to acquire 104 F-15EX jets, later trimming the number to 98, or roughly five squadrons. The additional funding now suggests the potential for renewed growth of the fleet.
The push to boost fighter jet numbers aligns with recent remarks from USAF Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. At the Airpower Futures Forum, Allvin warned of mounting pressure on the force. “The force is stressed. And we’re still doing our very damn best,” he said, underscoring the urgent need for reinforcements.
The timing also coincides with Boeing’s aggressive efforts to promote the F-15EX abroad, pitching the jet to Indonesia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and potentially India, where it is a contender in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.
The F-15EX represents the most advanced version of the F-15 to date. While lacking the stealth profile of fifth-generation fighters like the F-35, it offers other unmatched advantages. The aircraft features a modernized digital cockpit, updated radars, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and increased payload capacity.
A USAF fact sheet released earlier this month emphasized that the F-15EX can handle up to 23 weapons stations and carry five times more air-to-ground ordnance than previous variants. It also offers double the flying range, twice the cannon ammunition, and 1.5 times the speed, all while operating at nearly half the cost of newer stealth aircraft.
Importantly, it can launch air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including air-launched hypersonic weapons. These capabilities make the F-15EX an ideal candidate for roles ranging from air superiority and interdiction to close air support.
And then there’s the jet’s battlefield record: the F-15 series boasts a perfect air combat score, with over 100 kills and no losses, a reputation few other aircraft can claim.
The package doesn’t just focus on new airframes. Lawmakers have also directed $488 million to keep legacy fighters in service longer, defying USAF efforts to phase them out.
This includes $127.5 million to maintain 14 F-15E Strike Eagles and a more significant $361.2 million to sustain 32 aging F-22 Raptors—jets the Air Force had hoped to retire.
While the F-15E lacks stealth and has an older airframe, its versatility and range of roles—electronic warfare, deep strikes, reconnaissance, and base defense—make it a valuable asset in the USAF’s current force mix. Given maintenance challenges and a shrinking aircraft inventory, extending the service life of capable jets has become a strategic necessity.
Despite the focus on current platforms, the package also throws substantial weight behind future airpower programs. The Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter program, unofficially dubbed the F-47, will receive $400 million to accelerate development. The contract for the program was awarded to Boeing in March 2025 by the Trump administration.
In parallel, the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-gen fighter, part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, is set to receive $500 million—despite no contractor being officially selected yet.
Additionally, $678 million will go toward the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. These unmanned “loyal wingman” drones are designed to fly alongside fighters like the F-35 and the upcoming F-47, enhancing strike capabilities, extending operational range, and reducing risk to human pilots.
CCAs are seen as a key piece of future U.S. air strategy, offering a cost-effective and flexible way to dominate contested airspace.
What’s glaringly absent in the proposal is the F-35 Lightning II. The fifth-generation stealth jet, a cornerstone of the USAF and allied air forces, receives no new funding in this package—a move that has stirred debate among defense analysts and lawmakers alike.
Air and Space Forces Magazine noted the omission, suggesting it may reflect congressional frustration over cost overruns, maintenance issues, and production delays. Alternatively, it could indicate a strategic pivot toward diversification and next-gen planning.
Regardless of motive, the exclusion of the F-35—long considered the crown jewel of U.S. airpower—raises eyebrows at a time when China and Russia are advancing their own stealth programs.
The budget reconciliation bill doesn’t stop with fighters. A significant portion of the package—$13 billion—is aimed at modernizing the air and naval legs of America’s nuclear triad.
Of this, $4.5 billion is earmarked to accelerate procurement of the B-21 Raider, Northrop Grumman’s stealth bomber expected to replace aging B-1 and B-2 fleets. The B-21 is designed for long-range nuclear and conventional missions and is projected to be a backbone of U.S. strategic deterrence for decades to come.
- $160 million to modify the engine nacelles of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, addressing persistent mechanical issues.
- $100 million to fast-track development of the MQ-25 Stingray, the Navy’s autonomous carrier-based aerial refueling tanker.
- $440 million to expand production of the C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.
- $474 million for increased production of the EA-18G Growler, the Navy’s key electronic warfare aircraft.
Perhaps the biggest single allocation goes to missile defense. A staggering $24.7 billion is proposed to fortify ground- and space-based missile shields, with a significant portion directed at the Trump administration’s “Golden Dome” initiative—a comprehensive system designed to intercept incoming missiles from adversaries like China, Russia, or North Korea.
The package also carves out $34 billion for shipbuilding, with funds expected to go toward both new platforms and upgrades of existing naval assets.
These investments underscore the bipartisan recognition of growing threats in maritime theaters, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s naval buildup has reshaped the strategic calculus.
Before the package proceeds to the House Budget Committee, Democrats will have an opportunity to propose amendments. While the bill is expected to face debate on April 29, its final form may shift depending on negotiations over domestic priorities and broader budgetary constraints.
Still, Republicans have been clear in framing the bill as essential to countering Chinese military advances and reinforcing U.S. global leadership.
“The world is not getting any safer,” said one senior GOP aide. “We need to make sure our forces aren’t just ready—but unmatched.”
This $150 billion proposal is more than a budget line item—it’s a strategic statement. From boosting legacy fighters to funding sixth-generation jets and autonomous drones, the bill seeks to bridge the present and future of American airpower.
But the choices it reflects—such as sidelining the F-35 while doubling down on the F-15EX—also spark critical questions about the direction of U.S. defense policy. Are lawmakers betting on proven versatility over stealth? On speed and firepower over radar evasion?
