Commando-Launched Lethal Drones Included in $11 Billion Request
- Obama asks Congress for extra defense funds in current year
- Pentagon seeks to replace Russian-made copters for Afghans
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An $11.6 billion defense request that President Barack Obama sent Congress includes funds to buy more lethal drones for U.S. commandos fighting Islamic State and other terrorists as well as networks to counter the pilotless aircraft those groups are now using.
The extra war-related funding for the current fiscal year would provide $5.8 billion for the Pentagon to continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. An equal amount for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development would support counterterrorism efforts, refugee aid and improved embassy security, Obama said in a letter to lawmakers.