U.S. National Defense Authorization Act Allocates $35 Billion for Naval Shipbuilding

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law allotting $816.7 billion to the Defense Department, of which $35 billion has been set aside for naval shipbuilding.

The NDAA authorizes $32.6 billion for Navy shipbuilding, an increase of $4.7 billion. This will fund 11 battle force ships including three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; two Virginia-class submarines; two expeditionary fast transports; one Constellation-class frigate; one San Antonio-class amphibious ship; one John Lewis-class oiler and one Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship.

The act also calls for the Navy to build a third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and allocates $2.2 billion to the effort.

The act funds eight F-18E/F aircraft, 16 F-35C aircraft, 15 F-35B jets and 12 CH-53K helicopters. The legislation also authorizes two more V-22 Osprey aircraft, seven E-2D Hawkeye aircraft and five KC-130J tanker aircraft. The act funds several unmanned aerial platforms including the Triton and Stingray systems.

The act also authorizes $30.3 billion for national security programs in the Department of Energy and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and $378 million for other defense-related activities.

The act authorizes the full fiscal year 2023 budget request for the European Deterrence Initiative and extends and modifies the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). It authorizes $800 million in fiscal year 2023, an increase of $500 million above the initial budget request.

Among others, the act also means pay raise and bonuses for military and civilian members of the department.