The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has approved its version of the fiscal year 2026 defense policy bill, adhering to the Pentagon’s requested $848 billion topline. While the bill largely maintains funding for major programs like ships, aircraft, and vehicles, it includes a notable addition: $300 million in aid for Ukraine.
Ukraine Aid Contingent on Presidential Approval
The provision authorizes $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, „contingent on a presidential determination that it serves the U.S. national interest.” This extends the initiative while allowing the Trump administration flexibility in allocating additional funds to Ukraine. Politico first reported on the proposed legislation and it was obtained by Breaking Defense. The funding would be included in a larger pot of money for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, states the bill. (President Donald Trump said Monday that US must send additional military aid to Ukraine, days after reports said some arms transfers had been halted.)
Oversight on European Force Levels
The NDAA also includes oversight mechanisms to prevent the administration from significantly reducing U.S. troop presence in Europe. Funds cannot be used to decrease troop levels below 76,000 unless the defense secretary and EUCOM commander submit detailed justifications, threat assessments, and certifications of consultation with NATO allies.
SPEED Act: Acquisition Reform Takes Center Stage
Domestically, the cornerstone of HASC’s NDAA is the SPEED Act (Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery), a package of acquisition reform legislation. The SPEED Act aims to overhaul the Department of Defense’s requirements generation process and complements similar Senate legislation.
Key Program Adjustments
While largely sticking to the Pentagon’s budget, HASC made several notable adjustments:
- F-35: Maintains 47 aircraft purchases but adds $500 million for spares and decreases modernization funding by $200 million due to delays.
- E-7 Wedgetail: Adds $600 million to continue developing prototypes.
- Space Force Programs: Boosts funding for Next-Gen OPIR Polar ($475 million) and GPS III follow-on ($339 million).
- ICBMs: Increases funding for the Sentinel program by $400 million.
- C-40: Adds $300 million for two executive transport planes.
- KC-46: Decreases procurement funding by $300 million due to program delays.
- SSN-X: Adds $225 million for the Navy’s next-generation submarine.
- UH-60 Black Hawk: Adds $100 million for modernization.
- AH-64E Apache: Adds $90 million for three remanufactured aircraft.
- DDG-X: Adds $20 million for the next-generation destroyer.
Policy Changes: Missile Defense, F-35 Sustainment, and Nuclear Readiness
The bill also proposes policy requirements affecting key weapons systems:
- Golden Dome: Requires a plan and consolidated budget for the missile shield.
- F-35: Mandates sufficient wartime spares and support, forces Lockheed Martin to validate information for audits, and instates sustainment reports.
- Minuteman III: Requires an annual sustainment strategy and prohibits reducing the ICBM force below 400 missiles.
- Naval Shipbuilding: Grants contractual authorities for efficient ship procurement and requires an investment strategy for the maritime industrial base.
- KC-46: Prohibits accepting deliveries until the Secretary of Defense certifies all category 1 deficiencies are corrected, and mandates the Air Force maintain a minimum of 504 refueling tankers.
With these changes, the HASC’s version of the NDAA now moves forward in the legislative process.
