The fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes $1.7 billion in funding to upgrade 165 Abrams tanks and a $249 million for upgrading Stryker Vehicles, a $78 million increase from last fiscal year.
The bill also increases the Abrams tanks’ rate of production in Lima, Ohio. This increase will ensure the nation’s forward deployed tanks have cutting-edge capabilities.
“This funding is a big win for Lima and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC), which supports our troops both at home and around the globe,” U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said.
“The newest Abrams tank is a vital investment for our soldiers to meet the realities highlighted in the latest National Defense Strategy and they come off the line at JSMC in Lima. This increased funding will ensure that more tanks are produced at Lima and get to our forward deployed soldiers. This is a significant improvement when not long ago, the workforce was only funded for one tank per month. This is important for our armored formations and for Lima and its irreplaceable workforce.”
Portman has been an advocate for the Abrams and Stryker programs, ensuring the military processes the most lethal weapons systems.
The Senate is expected to pass the NDAA this week.