Christmas came early for Alabama’s military bases and defense and aerospace industries after the U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a defense spending bill that includes more than $1 billion for the state.
The spending bill, formally known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed the House last week and is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden.
“I am proud of the conservative wins we were able to deliver in this year’s NDAA for Alabama and our great military,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
“Alabama is authorized more than $1 billion in critical funding to support our bases, troops, facilities, and the defense industrial base. I look forward to next year’s negotiations when both chambers of Congress and the Executive branch can fully work together to restore peace through strength under President Trump.”
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who like Tuberville was among the 85 senators who voted for the spending bill, touted the Alabama benefits contained in the legislation.
“The FY25 NDAA ensures the Yellowhammer State remains at the forefront of America’s defenses while modernizing our military’s cutting-edge capabilities and assets, so our warfighters remain the best equipped, trained, and prepared in the world,” she said in a statement.
“At a time when we live in an increasingly dangerous world with adversaries like China, Iran, and Russia ready to take advantage of any American weakness, it is absolutely imperative we make targeted, strategic investments in our national security. This legislation will help put America back on track while providing the incoming Trump administration with the resources to implement a peace through strength doctrine to once again prioritize America First policies.”
More than $1 billion in funding benefitting Alabama is contained in the bill, according to the senators.
That includes more than $300 million for projects at Redstone Arsenal, Fort Novosel (formerly known as Fort Rucker) and Anniston Army Depot:
$40 million for the continued construction of Ground Test Facility Infrastructure.$20 million for Defense in Depth as Mission Assurance for Spacecraft Multilevel Security.$3 million for Virtual Integrated Testbed and Lab (VITAL) for Trusted Artificial Intelligence Operations (TAO).$120 million for Missile Defense Agency special programs.$56 million to construct a power generation and microgrid project.$3 million to design general purpose warehouse at Anniston Army Depot.$14 million to design a small arms warehouse.$13.5 million for the Missile Defense Agency’s infrastructure modernization initiative.Increased funding for procurement of PIM combat vehicles, which are made at Vehicle Upgrade and Overhaul Center (VUOC) in Anniston, AL.Increased funding for procurement of Abrams tanks, which are refurbished at the Anniston Army Depot.Increased funding for RDT&E for Stryker Modernization, which are refurbished at the Anniston Army Depot.Securing Army aviation funding to help Novosel’s ability to survive and execute missions with cyber and electromagnetic threats.
Another $725 million is earmarked for Alabama’s missile defense industry, including:
$250 million to restore SM-3 IB production.$176 million for an additional AN/TPY-2 radar Antenna Equipment Unit.$167 million for an additional Patriot launcher.$65 million to expand SM-3 IIA production.$33.5 million for the development of disruptive technologies.$15.5 million for sensors modeling and simulation.$3 million for Kinetic, Non-Kinetic Resource Optimization.$3 million for Artificial Intelligence Decision Aids for All Domain Operations.$10 million for Advanced Reactive Target Simulation.$3 million for Hypersonic Kill Vehicle Hardware-In-The-Loop.
Maxwell Air Force base and Alabama’s ship manufacturing industry will also benefit from the bill’s provisions, including:
Urging the Air Force to require congressional notification if a delay is expected for the MH-139A aircraft located on base—providing rapid response against threats to our land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile infrastructure.Expanding Navy Shipbuilding at Austal USA in Mobile, AL to include a 2nd Virginia-Class Submarine in FY25.Authorizes increased funding to enhance the submarine industrial base.Drastically improves Navy focus on unmanned surface and subsurface vessels.
Supporters of the legislation said they expect President Joe Biden to sign the bill despite a controversial measure banning taxpayer funds for being used on puberty blockers for minors, according to Reuters.
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Publish date : 2024-12-18 02:08:00
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