Katie Britt pushes Alabama projects in Senate Appropriations Committee' defense bill

August 19, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) recently helped advance the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act. This legislation included more than $851.9 billion in discretionary spending for America's defense capabilities.

"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 21st-century threats," said Britt in a statement. "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."

The legislation includes significant program increases and priorities to invest in Alabama's defense capabilities. These include:

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 (MDA) to procure additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and facilitization. The MDA is Headquartered in Huntsville and THAADs are manufactured in Troy.

$450 million to restore funding for the SM-3 block 1B missile, supporting work in Huntsville

Increase of $219.8 million for an additional 15 Abrams tanks, supporting work in Anniston.

Increase of $360 million to procure additional 12 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, supporting work in Huntsville.

Increase of $175 million for continuation of the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), supporting work in Huntsville and Auburn. The goal of ITEP is to produce a more powerful, fuel efficient, and durable engine for AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

$1.9 billion to fully fund Virginia-class attack subs, an additional $1.3 billion for Columbia-class ballistic missile subs, supporting work in Mobile. The new subs will replace aging Los Angeles and Ohio class submarines.

Increase of $500 million to continue development of Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 3 Transport Layer – part of a next generation military communications system, SDA has two main ground operations and integration centers, one of which is in Huntsville.

Britt believes that these investments will stimulate state-wide growth in manufacturing, workforce, and technological advancement that reinforces America's defense capabilities.

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.