SANDY HOOK - U.S. lawmakers released an FY26 defense appropriations bill this week that adds $8.5 billion to the Pentagon's budget, while providing even more funding for new equipment. The legislation is a conference agreement reflecting final negotiations between House and Senate appropriators. The separate National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was also in the news recently, but it's the newer defense appropriations bill that ultimately sets the Pentagon's spending levels each fiscal year.

The defense legislation is part of a broader consolidated spending bill that also contains funding for Homeland; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

The defense portion of the bill provides $839.2 billion for the Pentagon, which excludes military construction funded separately. The legislation leans heavily into the Pentagon's acquisition portfolio, adding a total of $18 billion for the development and procurement of equipment. The added funding is split between $14.4 billion for procurement and $3 billion for research and development. The resources reflect increased investment in big ticket items like aircraft, missiles, and ships, as well as a broad range of technologies in other markets like unmanned aerial systems (UAS), counter-UAS capabilities, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced materials and weapons development.

Several notable changes in the bill include reversing the Air Force's move to terminate Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail, adding nearly $900 million for the Navy's F/A-XX fighter after the program was deprioritized in the FY26 request, and inserting funding to support the Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) that was scaled back during the Army's recent transformation efforts.

Read below for some key takeaways outlined by lawmakers in a summary of the defense legislation:

PROCUREMENT

Provides $167.5 billion for procurement to the military services and other Department of Defense entities.

AIRCRAFT

- $7.6 billion for 47 F-35 fighters, and an additional $440 million for F-35 and F135 spare parts. - $1.9 billion for B-21 Raider. - $1.9 billion for up to 14 CH-53K heavy transport helicopters. - $1.1 billion for three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. - $976 million for six C-130Js for the Air National Guard. - $500 million for four KC-130Js for the Navy Reserve. - $387.7 million for three MQ-25 Stingray unmanned carrier-based aircraft. - $913 million for UH/HH-60M Army Blackhawk helicopters, and an additional $65 million for advanced procurement. - $629 million for CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, and an additional $61 million for advanced procurement. - $474 million for two Compass Call aircraft. - $240 million for MQ-1C Gray Eagle 25M aircraft for the Army National Guard. - $362 million for AH-64 Apache Block IIIA remanufacture.

SHIPBUILDING

- $27.2 billion for 17 ships, including seven battle force ships, to include one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, two Virginia-class fast attack submarines, three Medium Landing Ships, and one TAGOS SURTASS ship for anti-submarine warfare. - $1.5 billion for the Maritime Industrial Base to invest in critical areas including supplier capacity and capability, strategic outsourcing, workforce training, and technology and infrastructure. - $800 million for three Medium Landing Ships to expedite fielding and delivery of capability to the Marine Corps. - $242 million for long lead items for FF(X) Frigate program in support of the Navy’s objective of quickly delivering a small surface combatant to the Fleet. - $320 million for two Ship-to-Shore Connectors.

VEHICLES AND FORCE PROTECTION

- $780 million for 105 Amphibious Combat Vehicles for the Marine Corps. - $715 million for M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzers and M992A3 Field Artillery Ammunition Support vehicles. - $779 million to upgrade Abrams tanks to the M1A2 (SEP)v3 tank variant. - $345 million for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for the Army. - $359 million for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), and $426 million for NGSW ammunition.

MUNITIONS

- Multi-year procurement authority for PAC-3, SM-6, THAAD, Tomahawk, LRASM, JASSM, AMRAAM, and SM-3 IB. - $6.4 billion for procurement of critical munitions, including an additional $2.1 billion for increased quantities to execute multi-year procurement ramp. - $500 million for the Solid Rocket Motor Industrial Base to include facilitization, workforce development, supplier base expansion, and qualification of second and third-tier suppliers.

SPACE SYSTEMS

- $2 billion to procure 11 space launch missions under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 contract. - $528 million to procure two GPS IIIF spacecraft.

The bill also provides $800 million for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account, which traditionally added by Congress during the budget process.

RDT&E

Provides $145.9 billion for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation to the military services and other Department of Defense entities.

AIRCRAFT

- $3.9 billion for 6th Generation aircraft, including $972 million for Navy’s Next Generation Fighter FA-XX, and $3 billion for Air Force’s F-47. - $2.7 billion for Air Force’s Long Range Strike Bomber. - $1.1 billion for Air Force E-7 Wedgetail. - $1 billion for Navy’s Take Charge and Move Out mission. - $1.2 billion for Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (MV-75). - $175 million for the Improved Turbine Engine Program.

SPACE SYSTEMS - $3.8 billion for Missile Warning / Missile Tracking systems. - $2.5 billion in classified space programs to protect and defend United States space assets to ensure the United States has space superiority. - $1.8 billion for jam-resistant and wideband military satellite communications, including assured satellite communications for nuclear command and control.

INNOVATION AND INDUSTRIAL BASE

- $177.4 million for the establishment of a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network. - $4.5 billion for hypersonic test infrastructure, testing, and weapons systems. - $4.3 billion to allow access for Office of Strategic Capital loans and loan guarantees to scale capacity of critical suppliers. - $429.5 million for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). - $400 million for Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT), including $75 million for software-only solutions. - $812.1 million for Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment support. - $326.9 million for bioindustrial manufacturing to advance energetics and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities. - $321.9 million for Defense Production Act Purchases.

Source: Forecast Internatioanl
Associated URL: https://www.forecastinternational.com
Author: s. McDougall, Defense Analyst 

MARIGNANE--Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract from Ghana’s Ministry of Defence covering four helicopters: two H175M military variants, one ACH175, and one ACH160. The two H175Ms will be operated as multi-mission platforms, supporting transport, search and rescue, emergency medical services, and disaster relief operations. The ACH175 and ACH160 will be used primarily for transport roles.

The agreement marks Airbus Helicopters’ return to Ghana, with an emphasis on long-term customer support and partnership. Airbus highlighted the selection of the H175M as a demonstration of the aircraft’s versatility across defence and security missions, while also positioning Ghana as a leading West African customer for Airbus Corporate Helicopters’ premium ACH160 and ACH175 models.

The H175, in service since 2014, is a super-medium helicopter known for its combination of long range, payload capacity, and smooth flight characteristics, enabling a wide range of civil and military missions. The ACH160 incorporates 68 patented technologies and offers increased cabin space and larger windows for enhanced passenger comfort.

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-01-ghana-places-first-order-for-multi-mission-airbus-helicopters
Author: Airbus 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Army will begin fielding the Bell MV-75 tiltrotor aircraft this year, years ahead of its original 2031 to 2032 timeline, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George announced during the Army’s Senior Leader Sitrep town hall.

Formerly known as the Bell V-280 Valor, the MV-75 offers significantly greater speed and maneuverability than conventional helicopters, reflecting the Army’s push to accelerate modernization and acquisitions.

George emphasized the need to rapidly integrate emerging technologies, citing lessons from recent observations of the war in Ukraine. The Army is transforming units to support offensive drone operations, including the creation of dedicated drone combat formations such as those within the 10th Mountain Division.

Broader force modernization efforts will convert all infantry brigade combat teams into mobile brigades over the next 12 to 18 months, equipped with GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle and next-generation squad weapons. Combat aviation brigades are also adapting to operate larger unmanned aerial systems, including Group 3, 4, and 5 platforms. George stressed a shift toward soldier-driven feedback to guide future technology and autonomous systems procurement.

Source: Defense News
Associated URL: https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/2026/01/13/army-to-field-bell-mv-75-aircraft-this-year-integrate-more-drones/
Author: Zita Ballinger Fletcher