US Defence Ministry prepares for sharp budget cuts amid DOGE inspections

The Pentagon is preparing for possible spending cuts as the newly created Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) initiated a review of the defence budget.

Here's What We Know

The US Army may reduce the number of surplus drones and ground vehicles, while the Navy is reviewing the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme. The cuts are possible amid discussions in Washington over the defence budget, which is set to reach $850bn in 2024.

Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, has been openly critical of the US defence industry, saying that inefficient procurement and bureaucratic inertia have led to inflated prices for outdated weapons systems. However, experts disagree, as on the other hand, sharp budget and spending cuts could affect the army's combat capability.

There is no official statement from the Ministry of Defence yet, but according to sources, discussions are ongoing at the highest level.

Earlier, it was reported that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) offered its employees a voluntary retirement programme. The agency explained this by the need to adapt to the new priorities of the Donald Trump administration, in particular in the fight against drug cartels.

Source: The Wall Street Journal