Missile Defense Agency Funding Expected To Decline As Focus Turns To Hypersonic Weapons 

The Trump administration will not request an increase to the budget of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), reports Foreign Policy (Washington, D.C.). 

A proposal due later this month will request $9.4 billion for the agency, down from $9.9 billion in last year's budget, defense officials said. 

Officials emphasized that the agency's budget fully funds its requirement for fiscal 2020. Additional funding in previous years covered new ground-based interceptors and other items that did not need money after fiscal 2019. 

The move comes after the Trump administration announced earlier this year that it was suspending and likely withdrawing from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia. 

To accommodate increased competition with Russia, the White House is aiming to boost investments in offensive capabilities. 

The Pentagon is seeking $2.6 billion for research and development of hypersonic weapons, said the sources. 

Observers have warned of the potential for an arms race in Europe after both parties quit the deal, which bans all land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with ranges of 300-3,400 miles (500-5,500 km).