The Defense Department has revised the Military Intelligence Program top line budget request for Fiscal 2017, increasing it by nearly $2 billion, according to a Pentagon announcement. The new top line budget is $18.5 billion, including base budget and overseas contingency operations funding, up from the $16.8 billion announced in February 2016. “No other MIP budget figures or program details will be released, as they remain classified for national security reasons,” according to the release.
The U.S. military is carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico using U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft as part of the Pentagon’s effort to secure the southern border at the direction of President…