The US is investing over 900 billion dollars in an unprecedented military apparatus

The US is preparing a colossal allocation for defense: over 900 billion dollars, money that will be spent on the development of hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, directed energy, military autonomy, the construction of ships, aircraft and ammunition, the consolidation of the nuclear triad, strengthening the US position in the Indo-Pacific, the revitalization of the defense industry and the expansion of military support for Ukraine and Israel, according to the National Defense Authorization Act 2026 bill, published by the US Congress, with two weeks left until the end of the session.

According to official documents, the money is divided into an avalanche of directions: $26 billion for shipbuilding, $38 billion for aircraft (including full funding for the F/A-XX, the Navy's sixth-generation aircraft), $4 billion for ground vehicles, $25 billion for munitions, and $145.7 billion for hypersonics, AI, quantum, directed energy, and autonomy. To this is added $685 million dedicated exclusively to Israel's missile defense (Iron Dome, Arrow, David's Sling), in addition to the approximately $3.3 billion granted to Israel outside the NDAA. Support for Ukraine continues with an additional $400 million annually in both 2026 and 2027.

In addition to the technological boost, the bill inflates the social package for American service members: a 3.8% pay increase, expanded bonuses, $1.5 billion in investments in barracks and housing, $491 million in child care, plus money for cafeterias, health care, and schools. At the same time, the bill strikes a blow against DEI policies, permanently eliminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, programs, and training throughout the Department of Defense, prohibiting the creation of new ones, and mandating that promotions, hiring, and command selections be based solely on merit, without regard to race, ethnicity, or gender. In addition, men are barred from women's sports competitions at military academies.

To defend the US borders, the armed forces receive a mandate and full funding for direct support: deployments of the National Guard and active-duty troops, the establishment of special defense zones, logistical support for CBP, and over a billion dollars to combat drug trafficking. At the same time, the SPEED Act dynamites the procurement bureaucracy, accelerating the acquisition of technologies, reducing regulations and prioritizing rapid commercial solutions, while the defense industry receives a massive revitalization program - critical minerals, multi-year ammunition contracts, transparency in the supply chain, including regarding dependencies on China, development through additive manufacturing and robotics, support for SMEs and unmanned systems.

In the area of missile defense, the strategic concept is being reconfigured by funding the Golden Dome system, along with strengthening THAAD, SM-3 and Patriot, and in the nuclear arsenal, the triad programs are fully funded: Sentinel ICBM, Columbia submarines, SLCM-N sea-launched nuclear missile, plus advanced nuclear reactors and energy independence programs. All while the strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific is being strengthened with billions of dollars pumped into the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, bans on acquisitions in areas dominated by China (biotechnology, minerals, drones, solar), over $2.7 billion for military and logistical infrastructure in the region and full funding for cooperation with Taiwan, support for the Philippines and joint exercises.

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense boasts of identifying savings of nearly $20 billion, including $1.6 billion through massive cuts to climate programs and over $40 million through the elimination of DEI initiatives, with the remainder coming from eliminating obsolete assets, reducing bureaucracy, consulting, and inefficient programs.

The NDAA's stated goal remains defiant: "peace through strength,” restoring meritocracy and lethality, revitalizing industry, countering China, and implementing conservative priorities, while channeling unprecedented funds toward military infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies.

The American website Breaking Defense highlights a key measure hidden in the bill published by the US Congress: Section 1249 puts a brake on any withdrawal of US troops from Europe, requiring certifications submitted to Congress 60 days before the number of troops in the EUCOM area falls below 76,000; the ban also extends to any attempt to relinquish military facilities, return them to host countries, or abandon the role of Supreme Allied Commander in NATO. NDAA extends Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for 20 26 and 2027, by $400 million per year, and repeals the old 2002 AUMF for Iraq.

What the bill does not include? The official renaming of the Department of Defense to the "Department of War,” although President Trump authorized the use of the phrase, including adopted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Without a vote from Congress, the name used by the Trump Administration remains unofficial.