US President Joe Biden on Monday signed the $768 billion defense spending bill for 2022 which includes $4 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative and $300 million in security assistance for Ukraine, the White House stated.
"On Monday, December 27, 2021, the President signed into law: S. 1605, the 'National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022,' which authorizes fiscal year 2022 appropriations principally for Department of Defense programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, and intelligence programs", the White House said in a press release.
The NDAA does not include sanctions against Russian sovereign debt or against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline despite attempts by lawmakers to add them to the legislation amid rising tensions with Moscow over the alleged buildup of forces near Ukraine.
The legislation, however, requires biennial reporting on alleged Russian influence operations and campaigns targeting US military alliances.
The budget also includes some $7.1 billion for operations in the Indo-Pacific region, with initiatives to address challenges from China such as alleged risks to supply chains for critical defense systems.
This June 10, 2017 photo released by the U.S. Marine Corps shows an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter provides security from above while CH-47 Chinooks drop off supplies to U.S. Soldiers with Task Force Iron at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan.
© AP Photo / Sgt. Justin Updegraff
Earlier this month, the NDAA got an overwhelming support in both chambers of US Congess.
The final version of the bill includes $300 million for military aid to Ukraine; however, legislators did not add sanctions against Russia’s sovereign debt or against the Nord Stream 2 project.
It also includes a 2.7% pay increase for troops, as well as more aircraft and Navy ship purchases.