U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, sees benefits for companies in the state from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. The bill was still making its way through the legislative process as of July 22.
While Blumenthal did not specifically identify Connecticut defense companies that might benefit from new defense spending, the companies located in Connecticut include Sikorsky in Stratford, General Dynamics in Groton, and Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford.
“This defense authorization bill recognizes Connecticut for its instrumental role as an arsenal of our democracy, and I am proud to have advanced this bill bolstering our defense capabilities,” Blumenthal said. “It invests in advanced technologies and the talented workforce committed to building them while also providing increased support for the brave servicemen and women defending our country.”
Blumenthal highlighted that the bill would bolster Connecticut’s submarine and aircraft industries that have contributed to Connecticut’s economy. The bill includes $2.016 billion to fund one Virginia Class submarine; $3.9 billion to support construction of a Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine; provide $5 billion to support advanced procurement of the Columbia class program, the Navy’s top acquisitions priority; authorize procurement for not more than five Columbia-class submarines; provide $732 million to support multiyear procurement for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters; provide $1.7 billion to support procurement of Sikorsky’s CH-53K heavy-lift air frames; provide $107 million to support the HH-60W Jolly Green II program, providing the U.S. Air Force with additional platforms to accomplish combat search-and-rescue and personnel recovery missions that save service members’ lives; and authorize procurement of 34 F-35A aircraft.
“As foreign adversaries increasingly target our nation’s influence and security interests, this bill ensures our military is equipped to protect Americans and safeguard our freedoms and democracy,” Blumenthal said.
