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Panel backs $500 mln for Ukraine security through 2028

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NDAA restricts A-10 aircraft retirements

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Bill addresses global threats, emphasizes technology

By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - The Senate Armed

Services Committee has approved $500 million in security

assistance for Ukraine as part of its draft language for its

Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which also

restricts A-10 aircraft retirements.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual

policy bill that authorizes funding levels and provides

authorities for the U.S. military.

It ensures that American forces have the necessary resources

to carry out their missions and is closely watched by weapons

makers like Lockheed Martin Corp ( LMT ) and Boeing Co. ( BA )

The NDAA, passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee with

a vote of 26-1 on July 9, 2025, includes a provision to extend

the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028,

increasing authorized funding to $500 million from $300 million

in 2025.

The initiative aims to bolster Ukraine's defense

capabilities as it battles Russian forces which invaded in 2022.

The bill also prohibits a controversial request made in

President Donald Trump's June budget request to retire the Air

Force A-10 fleet. The draft requires that the inventory of the

A-10 cannot drop below 103 aircraft in FY26, ensuring the

continued operation of these close air support planes.

The draft of the bill will make its way through the

legislative process in the coming months. The lower House of

Representatives kept Ukraine support at $300 million in its

version.

The NDAA supports a total of $925 billion in funding for

national defense, with $878.7 billion allocated to the

Department of Defense and $35.2 billion to the Department of

Energy. The bill also allows for up to $6 billion in general

transfer authority for unforeseen higher-priority needs.

In addition to Ukraine, the NDAA addresses various global

security challenges, including threats from China, Iran, and

North Korea.

It emphasizes the need for technological advancements in

areas such as artificial intelligence, unmanned technology, and

hypersonic weapons to maintain U.S. military superiority.