The National Guard Bureau is seeking an additional $2.4 billion in funding for fiscal year 2026, with a significant focus on procuring more F-15EX and F-35 fighter jets, according to an unfunded wish list sent to Congress.
Fighter Procurement Dominates the List
Fighter procurement accounts for the bulk of the Guard’s annual unfunded priorities, including $1 billion for nine Boeing-made F-15EX jets and $556 million for six Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
The additional F-15EX procurement would ensure Guard squadrons in Oregon, California, and Louisiana have a standardized number of aircraft, providing three backup aircraft for each squadron. While the UPL doesn’t explicitly cite President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of an additional F-15EX squadron in Selfridge, Mich., the Guard references the decision and the raised questions about potential delays to beddown plans for other states.
The F-35s would help „fulfill integration requirements on the F-35 to support operations in the highly contested environment” and add aircraft needed by a training unit in Oregon and the Air National Guard F-35 Combined Test Fleet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Other Priorities
Besides fighter jets, the Guard’s list includes:
- $417 million for 54 sets of conformal fuel tanks for the F-15EX, increasing combat range and capability for Indo-Pacific operations.
- $203 million for dual status technician pay, addressing a current funding shortfall that impacts the ability to provide trained Soldiers for the ARNG’s dual role.
- $134 million for weapon system sustainment, covering Air National Guard aircraft and engine inductions.
- $55.7 million for infrastructure projects across the Army and Air National Guard.
Congress to Weigh In
The unfunded priority lists are often used by Congress to boost funding for favored weapons programs, with the National Guard frequently benefiting due to close ties between Guard units and lawmakers seeking perks for their home states. While the fighter jet requests are likely to grab headlines and potentially extra funding, they are ranked at the bottom of the Guard’s six-item list, which prioritizes personnel and current operations.
