Pentagon Fails Audit for Eighth Consecutive Year, Restates 2028 Goal
December 19, 2025 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1766163848242-1545
The Pentagon has failed its eighth consecutive audit, restating its goal for a clean audit by 2028. The yearly audit identified 26 material weaknesses and two significant deficiencies in the department’s controls for financial reporting in fiscal 2025. According to a DoD report released today, the department did not report the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program’s assets in the global spares pool, resulting in a misstatement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the department remains committed to rigorous annual financial statement audits. The comptroller stated that significant progress was made in FY25 but acknowledged more work is needed to meet its goals.
Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon has failed its eighth audit in a row.
- 26 material weaknesses and two significant deficiencies were identified.
- A material weakness represents a deficiency in control of financial reporting that results in a ‘reasonable possibility’ of a material misstatement.
Strategic Implications
This failure may indicate the Pentagon’s ongoing challenges with financial management and internal controls. The restated goal to achieve a clean audit by 2028 suggests significant efforts will be required to address these issues, which could impact the department’s ability to meet its fiscal goals.