Posted in Beijing 2023-12-16 16:19.
The U.S. Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2024 to provide a record $886 billion for defense spending, up 3% from 2023, or $28 billion, according to Naval Technology Network on December 15**.
The US Congress adopted a record budget, which included the construction of 13 Virginia-class submarines, and instructed the Secretary of the Navy to analyze the methods of deploying the tenth aircraft carrier and related wings.
The bill includes a ban on the use of funds to reduce the fleet of KC-135 air tankers or to reduce the HH-60W combat rescue*** and to limit the retirement of no more than 68 F-15E jets.
The budget includes an increase in operating cost expenditures, which will increase the basic salary of military personnel by 52%, up from 31% base inflation.
Observers who are expected to show signs of continued continued support for Ukraine will have to wait further, as only $300 million has been allocated to the Ukraine Security Assistance Program. Biden has asked for a separate $105 billion package to aid Ukraine and Israel, but it has not been passed so far.
* With $4.4 billion left in the mandate and $1 billion left in the replenishment, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. would have questions about its own readiness and capabilities as those funds began to dwindle. The Pentagon is urging Congress to provide additional support to Ukraine through additional funding.
The NDAA does include a $14.7 billion Pacific Deterrence Program. The initiative also implements the provisions of the AUKUS agreement on the delivery of nuclear submarines to Australia.