Trump signs record US defence budget

US President Donald Trump has signed into law a record $901 billion defence budget for the 2026 financial year, setting out Washington’s military priorities at home and abroad.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was approved by Congress on December 17 after passing the Senate by 77 votes to 20, following earlier approval in the House of Representatives.

The legislation combines policy goals backed by Trump’s administration with measures designed by lawmakers to strengthen congressional oversight of US military operations.

One key provision limits the president’s ability to scale back US troop deployments overseas without consultation. Under the law, the Pentagon must maintain at least 76,000 troops in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and any reduction is deemed to be in the national interest. The US currently has between 80,000 and 100,000 personnel stationed across the continent.

A similar restriction prevents troop numbers in South Korea from falling below 28,500.

Congress also reaffirmed support for Ukraine, authorising $800 million under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, with funding split equally over the next two years. A further $400 million annually was approved to support weapons manufacturing for Kyiv.

Reflecting the administration’s focus on the Asia-Pacific region, the bill allocates $1 billion to the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, aimed at strengthening defence ties as the US seeks to counter China’s growing military influence.

The NDAA also provides $600 million in security assistance for Israel, including funding for joint missile defence programmes such as Iron Dome.

In addition, lawmakers expanded reporting requirements for US military activity, requiring the Pentagon to give Congress more detailed briefings on strikes against suspected smuggling and trafficking networks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The move follows concerns raised after a September strike that killed two people, with some lawmakers saying they had not been informed in advance.

By Aghakazim Guliyev