---
title: "5 of the most expensive military mega-projects of all time"
date: "2018-11-01"
modified: "2020-10-21"
authors:
  - name: "Orvelin Valle"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/orvelinvalle/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-tactical/5-expensive-military-mega-projects-times/"
categories:
  - "Military News"
  - "Technology"
---

# 5 of the most expensive military mega-projects of all time

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17294780/origin.png>)

Making planes, tanks, and ships isn't cheap. Now factor in the cost of personnel, housing benefits and operations and you have a defense budget that balloons into the billions.

---

**Related: Defense budget spotlight: What do weapons really cost?**

In 2011, the U.S. government [spent about $718 billion](<https://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=viewid=1258>) on defense. That's nearly half of all military spending on the planet. The other top 13 nations combined spent $695 billion.

While the yearly budget is spread out according to defense needs, some projects take the lion share. Case in point are weapon systems like the Virginia Class Submarine with a procurement cost of $76.6 billion and the V-22 Osprey at $95.2 billion. Although costly, they aren't the most expensive military mega-projects of all time. Here's the list:

### 1. Nazi Germany's Atlantic Wall

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17294782/origin.gif>)
*TestTube News, YouTube*

Final cost: unknown

Although the final cost was never determined, the French portion alone would have cost $200 billion when adjusted for inflation.

### 2. National Missile Defense

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17292035/origin.jpg>)
*Photo: flickr/mightyohm*

Cost: over $300 billion and still rising.

### 3. DDG-51 Guided Missile Destroyer

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17294784/origin.jpg>)
*USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51). U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Patrick Reilly*

Procurement cost: $87.3 billion

### 4. USS Gerald Ford Aircraft Carrier

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17294785/origin.jpg>)
*Photo: US Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua J. Wahl*

Per unit cost: $13 billion

### 5. F-35 Strike Fighter

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17294786/origin.png>)
*Image: Lockheed Martin*

Current cost: $400 billion

Estimated total cost: $1.5 trillion

**Watch:**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPmGeLUvg8I

## Author
OV is a Navy veteran and an expert in social media and entertainment marketing. Previously, with music electronics company Roland, he created social media outreach and growth strategies that became Roland's worldwide corporate standard. OV also managed social media and promotions for Madison Square Garden and Clear Channel Radio.