SASC version of defense policy bill adds $32B to boost F-35, shipbuilding

WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee has greenlit $913.9 billion in defense spending for fiscal 2026, authorizing $32.1 billion more than the Pentagon’s budget request in order to fund additional investments in F-35s, shipbuilding and munitions, according a summary of the policy bill released today.

The committee’s version of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act includes $878.7 billion for the Defense Department and $35.2 billion for defense programs within the Department of Energy. When combined with defense spending outside the jurisdiction of the NDAA, total national security spending would sit at $924.7 billion — a sum that does not include $113 billion in reconciliation funds that is slated to be spent in FY26.

SASC members voted the bill through committee in a 26-1 vote on July 9, the summary states.

Shipbuilding and munitions were the major beneficiaries of the $32.1 billion added to the defense topline, with about $8.5 billion added for shipbuilding and about $6 billion added for munitions, according to a senior congressional official. Other additions included investments made for items included in services’ unfunded priority lists as well as certain military construction projects. (The official declined to go into which ship or munitions programs were specific winners, however.)

One adjustment laid out in the summary document is an increase of  Air Force F-35 procurement from 24 to 34 jets — a sum that, if enacted, would take the department’s annual total to 57 jets. The bill also includes provisions that would require the Pentagon to develop a plan to establish a government-controlled open mission systems computing environment for the F-35, a development that could help to break vendor-lock on the jet’s software and mission systems enterprise.

Like its House counterpart, SASC made acquisition reform a central part of the bill, including language meant to unburden nontraditional defense firms and move the Pentagon to a portfolio-centric acquisition model where it has more freedom to buy items though commercial processes.

Breaking Defense had early details of those acquisition reforms here: Senate NDAA to keep acquisition reform provisions boosting nontraditional defense firms

The SASC bill also includes language underscoring the committee’s continued support for Ukraine. It extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028 and authorizes $500 million in additional funds — even more than the $300 million included by House authorizers.

Additionally, it prohibits a reduction of US forces in Europe or the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position unless the defense secretary assesses the impact on US and NATO interests, and directs an independent risk assessment of any such changes. A second senior congressional official said those provisions were meant to ensure that the administration communicates with Congress before going forward with any such changes.

For Golden Dome, the bill codifies the position of Direct Reporting Program Manager for Golden Dome for America, establishes a test regime for the system’s development and directs the construction of “new missile defense telemetry collection vessels to enhance testing capabilities.”

SASC Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said that the bill prioritizes industrialization and reflects 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 said. “Accordingly, we have set forth historic reforms to modernize the Pentagon’s budgeting and acquisition operations.”

The committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Jack Reed of New Hampshire, said that the NDAA makes needed investments in servicemembers and technology and is “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:

While the bill summary does not lay out increases to shipbuilding accounts, the NDAA does have a host of provisions on Navy shipbuilding with the intent of inducing more cost and schedule discipline from the service on key shipbuilding programs.

The bill authorizes procurement for up to five Columbia-class submarines and a block buy of up to 15 Medium Landing Ships. It limits funding for TAGOS ships used for ocean surveillance, requiring the Navy to provide additional information about the program alternative solutions for the mission. It also requires the Navy to use a “vessel construction manager” acquisition on the Medium Landing Ship and Light Replenishment Oiler programs, as well as to use commercial contracting and construction processes for those programs.

The bill also exacts some oversight over amphibious ship numbers, limiting funding for the Navy secretary and defense secretary if the Pentagon’s 30 year shipbuilding plan does not comply with the statutory requirement for 31 amphibious ships — a provision that could force the administration to provide a 30-year shipbuilding plan this year, something department officials have hinted may not occur.

For the Navy’s nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile, the bill “accelerates development … and creates a supplementary parallel pathway for rapid fielding,” likely pointing to increased funds for the program.

Air Force and Space Force:

The committee swiped back at the Air Force’s plan to retire the remainder of its A-10 Warthog fleet in FY26, mandating that the service keep at least 103 A-10s around next fiscal year. It also extends the current prohibition on retiring the RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone to 2030.

The NDAA “supports procurement of the MH-139 Grey Wolf,” signaling additional funding to buy more helicopters.

In the world of nuclear modernization, the bill establishes a target date for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system to become initially operational, as well as setting minimum inventory requirements for ICBMs and launch facilities. It also “clarifies the timing” for certification of the B-21 with the AGM181 Long Range Standoff Weapon.

Finally, the bill requires a number of reports, including that the Air Force submit a bomber roadmap, an ISR roadmap, and a briefing on the service’s plan to develop air base defense capabilities for expeditionary operations. Meanwhile, the Space Force must complete a study on future heavy and super heavy space launch capacity.

Army:

One of the biggest changes is a mandate to transfer the Countering small Unmanned Aircraft Systems responsibility from the Army to the office of the Pentagon’s top acquisition official, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment. A senior congressional official said that with the growing emphasis on counter-drone operations, the intent was to elevate that organization into a joint one that could benefit all services.

The committee directed the Army to provide a list of reports fleshing out key elements of its modernization plans and ongoing reorganization. It requires the service to submit 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.

It also mandates that the service brief the committee on its propositioned stocks program, specifically on what its doing to ensure the Army has optimized where its placing its equipment around the globe. Finally, it requests a report on the Army’s plan to combine Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command.