On Thursday, the Pentagon unveiled its Military Intelligence Program (MIP) budget request for fiscal year 2026.
The $33.6 billion topline figure aligns with the administration’s Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance. The disclosure marks the Defense Department’s annual release of aggregate MIP spending plans. While the total reflects intelligence priorities across military branches, individual program details remain classified for security reasons.
Defense officials determined that publishing the overall budget figure posed no risk to classified intelligence activities. The department continues its practice of withholding specific program breakdowns and operational details.
The MIP funds intelligence capabilities across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. These programs support tactical and operational intelligence requirements for combatant commanders worldwide.
This announcement follows established transparency practices dating back to 2007. Congress typically reviews the full classified budget during closed-door sessions while the public receives only aggregate figures.