The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has given the green light to a colossal $913.9 billion defense spending package for fiscal year 2026. This figure surpasses the Pentagon’s original budget request by a significant $32.1 billion, signaling Congress’s intent to bolster key areas like F-35 procurement, shipbuilding, and munitions.
Key Highlights of the FY26 NDAA
The committee’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) allocates $878.7 billion to the Department of Defense and $35.2 billion to defense programs within the Department of Energy. Coupled with defense spending outside the NDAA’s purview, total national security spending reaches a staggering $924.7 billion, not including $113 billion in reconciliation funds earmarked for FY26. The SASC approved the bill with a resounding 26-1 vote on July 9, according to a summary released by the committee.
Shipbuilding and Munitions See Major Boost
A senior congressional official revealed that shipbuilding and munitions are the primary beneficiaries of the budget increase, receiving approximately $8.5 billion and $6 billion, respectively. The additional funds will also support items on the services’ unfunded priority lists and various military construction projects. While specific programs remain undisclosed, the increase signifies a commitment to strengthening these critical defense areas.
F-35 Procurement Surges
One notable adjustment outlined in the summary document is an increase in Air Force F-35 procurement from 24 to 34 jets. If enacted, this would bring the department’s annual total to 57 jets. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions requiring the Pentagon to develop a government-controlled open mission systems computing environment for the F-35. This move could potentially break vendor lock-in and foster greater competition in the jet’s software and mission systems enterprise.
Acquisition Reform and Ukraine Support
Mirroring its House counterpart, the SASC prioritizes acquisition reform in the bill. Language is included to ease the burden on nontraditional defense firms and transition the Pentagon towards a portfolio-centric acquisition model, granting greater flexibility in commercial procurement. The SASC bill also reaffirms the committee’s unwavering support for Ukraine. It extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028 and authorizes an additional $500 million in funds, exceeding the $300 million allocated by House authorizers.
Concerns Over European Force Reductions
To ensure Congressional oversight, the bill prohibits any reduction of U.S. forces in Europe or the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position without a thorough assessment by the defense secretary on the impact on U.S. and NATO interests. Additionally, an independent risk assessment of any such changes is mandated. A second senior congressional official indicated that these provisions aim to ensure transparency and communication between the administration and Congress before any such decisions are made.
Focus on Missile Defense
For the Golden Dome missile defense system, the bill codifies the position of Direct Reporting Program Manager, establishes a test regime for development, and directs the construction of „new missile defense telemetry collection vessels to enhance testing capabilities.”
Committee Leaders Weigh In
SASC Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., emphasized that the bill prioritizes industrialization and addresses the most dangerous threat environment since World War II. „The bill my committee advanced today is a direct reflection of the severity of that threat environment, as well as the rapidly evolving landscape of war,” he stated. „Accordingly, we have set forth historic reforms to modernize the Pentagon’s budgeting and acquisition operations.”
Sen. Jack Reed of New Hampshire, the committee’s top Democrat, lauded the NDAA for its investments in servicemembers and technology, calling it „a critical, bipartisan measure that ensures our military remains prepared to meet the growing and complex challenges of a dangerous world.”
Navy and Marine Corps Provisions
While the bill summary does not detail specific increases to shipbuilding accounts, the NDAA includes several provisions aimed at promoting cost and schedule discipline in key shipbuilding programs. It authorizes procurement for up to five Columbia-class submarines and a block buy of up to 15 Medium Landing Ships. The bill also places restrictions on funding for TAGOS ships used for ocean surveillance, requiring the Navy to provide additional information about the program and alternative solutions. Additionally, the Navy is directed to utilize a „vessel construction manager” acquisition approach for the Medium Landing Ship and Light Replenishment Oiler programs, as well as to leverage commercial contracting and construction processes.
Oversight is also imposed on amphibious ship numbers, with funding limitations for the Navy secretary and defense secretary if the Pentagon’s 30-year shipbuilding plan does not meet the statutory requirement of 31 amphibious ships. This provision could compel the administration to provide a 30-year shipbuilding plan this year.
The bill also „accelerates development … and creates a supplementary parallel pathway for rapid fielding” of the Navy’s nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile, likely indicating increased funding for the program.
Air Force and Space Force Initiatives
The committee pushed back against the Air Force’s plan to retire the remaining A-10 Warthog fleet in FY26, mandating that the service maintain at least 103 A-10s. The current prohibition on retiring the RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone is also extended to 2030. The NDAA „supports procurement of the MH-139 Grey Wolf,” signaling additional funding to acquire more helicopters.
In the realm of nuclear modernization, the bill establishes a target date for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system to become initially operational, along with setting minimum inventory requirements for ICBMs and launch facilities. It also „clarifies the timing” for certification of the B-21 bomber with the AGM181 Long Range Standoff Weapon.
Furthermore, the bill mandates several reports from the Air Force, including a bomber roadmap, an ISR roadmap, and a briefing on the service’s plan to develop air base defense capabilities for expeditionary operations. The Space Force is required to complete a study on future heavy and super heavy space launch capacity.
Army Directives
One of the most significant changes for the Army is a mandate to transfer the Countering small Unmanned Aircraft Systems responsibility to the office of the Pentagon’s top acquisition official. This move aims to elevate the organization into a joint one benefiting all services, given the growing importance of counter-drone operations.
The committee directs the Army to provide a list of reports elaborating on key elements of its modernization plans and ongoing reorganization. This includes a tactical wheeled vehicle strategy alongside its 2027 budget request, as well as a separate briefing on its plan for fielding ground combat vehicles for its Stryker and Armored Brigade Combat Teams.
Additionally, the service must brief the committee on its prepositioned stocks program, focusing on optimizing equipment placement around the globe. Finally, a report is requested on the Army’s plan to combine Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command.
