Senate Sets Aside $7B for Weapons Programs in Proposed COVID-19 Relief Package

The Senate has proposed a COVID-19 pandemic relief package that would earmark at least $7B in funds for the procurement of military aircraft, shipbuilding, missile defense systems and other weapons systems, Defense News reported Monday.

The proposed $1T relief measure includes $1.45B for four expeditionary medical ships; over $1B for the U.S. Navy’s procurement of Boeing-built (NYSE: BA) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft; and $720M for the U.S. Air Force to acquire Lockheed Martin-built (NYSE: LMT) C-130Js.

The bill also allots more than $300M for Lockheed-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense program and Raytheon Technologies-made (NYSE: RTX) AN/TPY-2 radar and $375M to update the Double V-Hull Stryker vehicles.

The legislation, which sets aside $29B in total defense funding, includes $11B in funds to help the Department of Defense reimburse contractors for pandemic-related expenses.

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