Navy Seeks Hundreds of Surface-to-Air Missiles Amidst Funding Criticisms
The U.S. Navy’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request outlines a significant procurement of Standard Missile series naval interceptors, seeking to acquire 136 RIM-161D Standard Missile 3 Block IIAs and 540 RIM-174 Standard Missile 6s. This substantial increase in requested funding, totaling approximately $8.5 billion, reflects a drastic production increase compared to Fiscal Year 2026. The SM-6, the Navy’s advanced anti-air interceptor capable of engaging various threats including cruise missiles and aircraft, is seeing heightened demand. The SM-3 Block IIA, a joint U.S.-Japan development, offers enhanced capabilities for intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles and has recently seen combat deployment.
John Q. Hosedrinker