Compromise NDAA released with $857.9 billion topline

Compromise NDAA released with $857.9 billion topline
Compromise NDAA released with $857.9 billion topline

The topline is higher than either the HASC ($839 billion) or SASC ($847 billion) had sought in their initial versions of the language, and includes $816.7 billion for the Pentagon and $30.3 billion for nuclear activities in the Department of Energy.

SASC wants $45B jump to defense budget topline for inflation, Ukraine assistance

SASC wants $45B jump to defense budget topline for inflation, Ukraine assistance
SASC wants $45B jump to defense budget topline for inflation, Ukraine assistance

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s proposed topline figure would increase the already-historic Pentagon spending plan proposed by the Biden administration.

Lawmakers name familiar faces in defense to budgeting reform commission

Lawmakers name familiar faces in defense to budgeting reform commission
Lawmakers name familiar faces in defense to budgeting reform commission

Leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee named their selections to the NDAA-mandated Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform.

Managing China, whether through threats or talk: 2022 Preview

Managing China, whether through threats or talk: 2022 Preview
Managing China, whether through threats or talk: 2022 Preview

Expect the political battle over the island nations like Fiji or the Solomons to be a big part of Chinese-American geopolitics in the new year.

NDAA passes Senate at $740 billion; heads to Biden’s desk

NDAA passes Senate at $740 billion; heads to Biden’s desk
NDAA passes Senate at $740 billion; heads to Biden’s desk

The legislation includes funding increases for deterrence initiatives in the Indo-Pacific and Europe, and approves Air Force efforts to divest of some legacy aircraft.

New defense budget commission could be last hope for fixing DoD spending

New defense budget commission could be last hope for fixing DoD spending
New defense budget commission could be last hope for fixing DoD spending

The new independent panel will make legislative and policy recommendations to reform the budgeting process “to enable the United States to more effectively counter near-peer competitors.”

FY22 defense bill puts a target on F-35 cost, with procurement hanging in the balance

FY22 defense bill puts a target on F-35 cost, with procurement hanging in the balance
FY22 defense bill puts a target on F-35 cost, with procurement hanging in the balance

The FY22 National Defense Authorization Act issues a challenge to the Pentagon: Lower F-35 sustainment costs, or the services won’t be able to buy or fly as many as they want.

NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets

NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets
NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets

Until a program-by-program review is provided by the Defense Department, the armed services committees would limit spending on each one to no more than than 75% of its planned annual budget.

Congress approves retirement of 160+ Air Force planes – with one notable exception

Congress approves retirement of 160+ Air Force planes – with one notable exception
Congress approves retirement of 160+ Air Force planes – with one notable exception

The A-10 lives, it BRRTs, it lives again!

Pacific Deterrence Initiative gets $2.1 billion boost in final NDAA

Pacific Deterrence Initiative gets $2.1 billion boost in final NDAA
Pacific Deterrence Initiative gets $2.1 billion boost in final NDAA

Congress rebuked the Pentagon for “improperly focused” budget request for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

Rep. Luria wants shipyard funding boost in defense policy bill

Rep. Luria wants shipyard funding boost in defense policy bill
Rep. Luria wants shipyard funding boost in defense policy bill

“We need to make sure that we have a very … robust investment in our shipyards. I don’t know if we can get that full amount,” Luria said of a proposed shipyard supplemental.

Curbing Dangerous US Arms Sales: House NDAA Is A Win For Oversight, Accountability

Curbing Dangerous US Arms Sales: House NDAA Is A Win For Oversight, Accountability
Curbing Dangerous US Arms Sales: House NDAA Is A Win For Oversight, Accountability

The House version of the NDAA represents the largest package of legislation that restrict weapons transfers since the 1990s — a good first step.

SASC Adds Six F-35s To FY22 NDAA; Splits With House

SASC Adds Six F-35s To FY22 NDAA; Splits With House
SASC Adds Six F-35s To FY22 NDAA; Splits With House

SASC would transfer authority for F-35 acquisition from the DoD Joint Program Office to the Air Force and Navy no later than Oct. 1, 2027.

House Passes NDAA, With $24B In Extra Pentagon Funding and Strings Attached

House Passes NDAA, With $24B In Extra Pentagon Funding and Strings Attached
House Passes NDAA, With $24B In Extra Pentagon Funding and Strings Attached

The NDAA easily passed and now heads to the Senate.