Published at Open the Books Substack

The Department of Defense spent $79.1 billion on contracts and grants in September 2024, making it the military’s most expensive month for such purchases since 2008.

 

Not since George W. Bush was president has the military funneled so much cash out the door so quickly.

 

The dollar total includes $33.1 billion spent in the last five working days of September, which was 7% of the Pentagon’s contract and grant spending for all of fiscal year 2024. Only 11 other countries typically spend that much on their entire military in a full year.

On Friday, Sept. 27 alone, the DoD spent $11.7 billion on contracts and grants.

 

Federal agencies typically go on spending sprees at the end of the fiscal year, likely due to “use-it-or-lose-it” funding rules. They’re worried that spending less than their budget allows will cause Congress to give them less money the following year.

 

The largest expenses were in line with expectations, including $3 billion spent on ammunition and $7.9 billion spent on aircraft.

 

Others were a bit more surprising.

 

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