US Pentagon Announces $1.5 Trillion AI‑Driven Military Modernization Plan

The United States government issued an executive order on 2 June 2026 to speed the development and deployment of artificial‑intelligence (AI) tools for national‑security missions. The order grants early‑access to advanced AI models, directs the Defense Secretary to revise weapons‑autonomy guidelines within 90 days, and bars illegal surveillance or censorship by security agencies.

In parallel, the Pentagon released a draft budget of $1.5 trillion that places AI at the core of every military operation, from logistics to combat strategy. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described AI as a “force multiplier” intended to reshape U.S. warfighting capabilities and maintain strategic superiority over rivals such as China and Russia. The proposal calls for widespread integration of AI across platforms, new procurement contracts with multiple vendors, and safeguards to avoid dependence on a single system.

Both measures reflect a coordinated effort to embed AI into the U.S. defense apparatus, signaling a major shift in military doctrine and signaling heightened competition in high‑tech weaponry.