Pentagon's $842 billion budget focuses on China with lessons from Ukraine war

The Pentagon's $842 billion budget request for the next fiscal year builds on lessons learned during the conflict in Ukraine but still places China as the "pacing challenge" for the U.S. military.   

The request includes $30.6 billion for munitions — a nearly 12% increase over last year's enacted budget — driven in large part by lessons learned from Ukraine's high munition expenditure in its fight against Russia. 

"Ukraine has really informed and highlighted the need to up our game here," Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord said Monday.