Britt, Senate appropriations panel OK nearly $11B in Huntsville-related defense programs

WASHINGTON – Recognizing North Alabama and the state’s defense industry, more than $851.9 billion in discretionary spending for America’s defense capabilities was advanced in the FY 26 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt announced. Nearly $11 billion is targeted for Huntsville-related defense programs.

“I’m honored to showcase Alabama’s world-class defense capabilities across our nation and the globe, and to continue fighting to ensure our defense systems are fully modernized to combat 21^st-century threats,” said Britt (R-Montgomery), who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “It’s critical the United States remains a global leader through a warfighter that is unmatched in lethality, readiness, and technological superiority — these strategic investments are vital to accomplishing this goal.

“I remain committed to strengthening our national security, supporting our outstanding servicemembers, and safeguarding the future of our nation.”

Britt supported significant program increases and priorities in this legislation to invest in Alabama’s defense capabilities, including:

• Increase of $216 million for drone and counter-drone capabilities.
• Increase of $4.6 billion for various air and missile defense efforts.
• Increase of $5.2 billion to procure additional rounds of munitions across the services, addressing critical funding gaps for replenishment and inventories.
• Increase of $923 million for the Missile Defense Agency to procure additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors and facilitization. MDA is headquartered in Huntsville and THAAD is manufactured in Troy.
• $450 million to restore funding for the SM-3 block 1B missile, supporting work in Huntsville
• Increase of $360 million to procure additional 12 AH-64E aircraft, supporting work in Huntsville.
• Increase of $175 million for continuation of the Improved Turbine Engine Program, supporting work in Huntsville and Auburn.
• Increase of $500 million to continue development of Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 Transport Layer, SDA has two main ground operations and integration centers, one of which is in Huntsville.

These investments will stimulate state-wide growth in manufacturing, workforce, and technological advancement that reinforces America’s defense capabilities, Britt’s office said.

The FY26 DOD Appropriations Act also includes a 3.8% pay raise for all service members and a 10% additional pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers. $302.8 billion is included for the sustainment of operations, weapons, training, and readiness activities, and $5.3 billion is included to strengthen security cooperation programs, reinforcing the strategic importance of supporting vulnerable partners as a core U.S. national security interest.

The bill also invests in U.S.-Israeli missile defense, by providing $500 million for Israel Cooperative Programs including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow missile defense. The bill also includes $75 million for counter-drone cooperation, $47.5 million for emerging technology cooperation, and $80 million for anti-tunneling cooperation with the state of Israel.