House Passage of NDAA is a Win for CT's Defense Manufacturing

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after voting for the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"First District businesses up and down the supply chain for vital programs like the F-35, Virginia class submarines, and military helicopter programs that help keep our military the best in the world, will benefit tremendously from this legislation. This legislation not only supports the extraordinary work done by the workers at our large companies like Pratt and Whitney, but hundreds of suppliers across the district including small businesses like Horst Engineering, in East Hartford, Flanagan Industries in Glastonbury, ACMT in Manchester, and MB Aerospace in East Granby. These are just four examples of the nearly 160 companies in the First District that benefit from the passing of the NDAA, which will enhance funding for the Connecticut-made aircraft engines, submarines, and helicopters ensuring that our military maintains an unmatched supremacy in the air and in the sea.

"In the First Congressional District alone, work on the F-35 is supporting nearly 4,000 jobs and is resulting in $338 million in economic activity this year. The First District is also a supplier of the Navy's submarine programs representing $209 million in purchase orders this year and 32 suppliers of our military's helicopter programs representing $95 million. The NDAA builds on this activity and it continues the momentum for Connecticut's manufacturing ecosystem," said Larson. "I commend the bipartisan process to create this defense package that will strengthen our nation's armed forces, provide a pay increase for our troops, and equip them with the right tools to carry out their mission."

Highlights of Connecticut's priorities in the FY 2018 NDAA:

•$13.2 billion to purchase 87 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters; 17 more than Pentagon requested.

•$2 billion for advance procurement of B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber

•$3.3 billion to fully fund 2 Virginia-class submarines in FY2018 and $2.8 billion in advanced procurement.

•$2.9 billion for 18 KC-46A Tankers

•$842.8 million for advanced procurement of Ohio Replacement Program

•$1.2 billion for 53 UH-60 Blackhawks

•$567.6 million for purchase 4 CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters

•$354.5 million for advance procurement of Combat Rescue Helicopter

•$108.6 million for advance procurement of UH-1N replacement

•$38.7 million for procurement and $451.9 million in development of VH-92A Presidential Helicopter

•$7 million for construction of Bradley Terminal

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