During the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition on Wednesday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the necessity of a nearly $1.5 trillion defence budget. Hegseth argued that this level of funding is "absolutely critical" to ensure the United States does not fall behind in emerging military technologies.

Central to his argument is the need for rapid advancement in autonomy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Hegseth highlighted the Pentagon’s initiative, known as Project Agincourt, which aims to accelerate the development and deployment of drone and autonomous systems. According to Hegseth, these technologies are the primary battleground for future military dominance, particularly in the context of China’s ongoing military modernization efforts. By prioritizing these sectors, the Department of Defence aims to maintain a competitive edge against global rivals who are also investing heavily in similar technological capabilities. The proposed budget reflects a strategic shift toward integrating these advanced systems into the broader military framework to counter perceived threats to national security.