WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has requested permission from Congress to reroute about $1.5 billion in funds from fiscal 2026 and 2025 to fund a “high-priority” AI initiative, keep a new Army helicopter program aloft and shift funds related to programs affected by Iran operations.
The reprogramming document sent to Congress in July, which was reviewed by Breaking Defense, seeks to realign $1.2 billion in FY26 funds and $212 million in FY25 funds. Inside Defense was first to report on the request, which must be approved by the congressional defense committees.
The most expensive line item is a request to shift $600 million in FY26 funds to “immediately” build and equip a top secret, high-performance AI compute center. The funds would be used to procure advanced computing infrastructure, hardware and integration services, and would allow the Pentagon to scale AI and machine learning across the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS), the document states.
“Designated as a Secretary of War high-priority initiative, this is an emergent, must-pay requirement necessary to maintain technological overmatch and decision superiority,” the reprogramming document states, using the administration’s preferred term for the defense secretary.
