US President Barack Obama will seek more than 200 billion dollars over the next 18 months to fund US war efforts, CNN reported Thursday.
Obama's request includes 75.5 billion dollars for 2009 to send more US troops to Afghanistan, the TV network reported, citing unnamed defense officials.
Spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for fiscal year 2010, which begins in October, will be included in Obama's Pentagon budget request expected to be announced Thursday, CNN said.
The US military's budget for fiscal year 2009, excluding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stands at 515 billion dollars, the Pentagon said.
When the estimated cost of both wars is added, total defense spending is roughly 650 billion for fiscal year 2009.
For 2008, total spending including the wars reached 670 billion.
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