The Marine Corps' budget request seeks $80.3 billion in fiscal year 2027 -- a 39% increase over the $57.8 billion appropriated in FY-26 as it looks to advance a host of force-design modernization efforts.

The service’s request, which was officially rolled out last week, is part of a massive, Pentagon-wide budget that looks to catapult defense spending to $1.5 trillion using a combination of discretionary and mandatory funds.

If approved by Congress, the Marine Corps’ portion would double Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) spending and devote substantial resources to amphibious warship procurement, funding one Flight II San Antonio-class ship, one America-class ship and six additional McClung-class medium landing ships.

The budget also looks to boost aviation procurement above previously forecasted levels, with funding for 27 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 22 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters, nine KC-130J tankers and five MQ-9A Reaper drones.

The Marine Corps is also preparing for its first full year of Joint Light Tactical Vehicle procurement without the Army, seeking $245 million for 341 JLTVs.

Though Amphibious Combat Vehicle procurement is concluding in FY-26, the service continues to develop the future Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle and is requesting over $500 million for the program in FY-27 after awarding prototyping contracts earlier this year.

Following the budget request rollout, senior officials are scheduled to appear at the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington this week. They include Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. William Swan and Marine Corps Portfolio Acquisition Executive Lt. Gen. Eric Austin.

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