US defense bill boosts Pacific spending, limits Ukraine aid
The US Congress has passed the defense spending bill for 2024, totaling $895 billion. This document provides for increased investment in the Indo-Pacific region but does not allocate additional funds to support Ukraine.
8:02 PM EST, December 18, 2024
The US Senate approved the defense spending bill, outlining a budget of $895 billion. The bill passed with a decisive majority and now awaits the president's signature. The new budget includes a pay raise for soldiers and investments in the Indo-Pacific region.
$15 billion to deter China
A key element of the bill is the allocation of $15 billion to deter China and $300 million for military aid to Taiwan. In Europe, the European Deterrence Initiative receives $2.9 billion. The document does not include additional funds for purchasing weapons for Ukraine, although the USAI program has been extended.
For the first time in a while, the NDAA lacks extra funds for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), though the program has been extended for another two years.
The bill also mandates that the intelligence community prepare a special report on potential scenarios for the war in Ukraine, including the consequences of a potential Ukrainian defeat, Ukraine's ability to continue fighting without US support, and the capability of other allies to assist Ukraine.
