Congress boosts Indo-Pacific funding in £745bn defence bill
The US Congress passed the defence spending bill 2024, amounting to £745 billion. The document provides for increased investment in the Indo-Pacific region but does not include additional funds for supporting Ukraine.
18 December 2024 22:16
The US Senate approved the defence spending bill, which outlines a budget of £745 billion. The bill passed with a decisive majority and now awaits the president's signature. The new budget includes a pay rise for soldiers and investments in the Indo-Pacific region.
£12 billion to deter China
One of the bill's key elements is the allocation of £12 billion for a policy to deter China and £250 million for military aid to Taiwan. In Europe, the European Deterrence Initiative includes £2.4 billion. The document does not include additional funds for purchasing weapons for Ukraine, although the USAI programme has been extended.
For the first time in a while, the NDAA lacks additional funds for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), although the programme has been extended for another two years.
The bill also requires the intelligence community to 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.
