# Autonomous Warfare Command startup funding hinges on reconciliation, Defense One reports

Defense One reports the Pentagon is seeking startup money through a separate reconciliation bill whose passage is uncertain.

Published 2026-10-25 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/25/autonomous-warfare-command-startup-funding-hinges-on-reconciliation-defense/

The Department of War requested $54 billion earlier this year for the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, Defense One reports.[1] Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said the group would help launch the Autonomous Warfare Command.[1] The administration requested the money alongside other military priorities through a separate reconciliation bill outside the $1 trillion defense budget.[1]

Hegseth said at an Oct. 14 panel that the command would become the Pentagon's official purchaser of autonomous technology, but offered few other details.[1] The startup money remains a request, with passage of the funding bill uncertain.[1]

A Pentagon official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, reiterated the $54 billion reconciliation request when Defense One asked about a backup funding plan.[1]

Hegseth's memo says the command will possess directed manpower, budget and acquisition authorities.[2] It directs collaboration with Congress to secure necessary legislation, with a target establishment date of Oct. 1, 2027.[2] It requires a plan of action and milestones within 30 days, identifying resources and required authorities.[2] Defense One reports the plan is due at the end of October.[1]

## Why it matters

John G. Ferrari, an American Enterprise Institute nonresident senior fellow and retired two-star general, told Defense One reconciliation money must arrive by Christmas, before the new Congress is seated in January.[1] Without it, he said, the Pentagon could still stand up the organization, but it won't have the buying power necessary to meet its mission.[1] Mark Cancian suggested drawing acquisition money from the services, an alternative he told the outlet would be difficult.[1]

## Sources

1. Defense One: Funding, force-structure issues could hinder Hegseth's new autonomous command (Oct. 25, 2026) <https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/10/funding-hegseth-autonomous-command/416800/>
2. Secretary of War memo: Project Agincourt - Pathway to the Autonomous Warfare Command <https://media.defense.gov/2026/Sep/30/2004009304/-1/-1/1/PROJECT-AGINCOURT-PATHWAY-TO-THE-AUTONOMOUS-WARFARE-COMMAND.PDF>