WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) today praised Senate passage of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which includes $1.7 billion in funding to upgrade 165 Abrams tanks, increasing the rate of production of the upgraded Abrams tanks at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima in order to ensure that our forward deployed tanks have the most cutting-edge capabilities. The bill also includes $249 million for upgrading Stryker Vehicles. Portman has been a strong advocate for both Lima and the Abrams and Stryker programs, ensuring that our men and women of the military have the best and most lethal weapons systems while keeping good, high-paying jobs in Lima.
Portman released the following statement:
“This funding is a big win for Lima and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, which supports our troops both at home and around the globe. The newest Abrams tank is a vital investment for our soldiers to meet the realities highlighted in the latest National Defense Strategy and they come off the line at JSMC in Lima. This increased funding will ensure that more tanks are produced at Lima and get to our forward deployed soldiers. This is a significant improvement when not long ago the workforce was only funded for one tank per month. This is important for our armored formations and for Lima and its irreplaceable workforce.”
“I am also pleased the Senate-passed NDAA increases funding for producing Stryker A1 vehicles. This authorization includes a $78 million increase over the investment last fiscal year which will help provide long-term stability to the industrial base and keep our soldiers from waiting too long to be fielded with the most capable and survivable vehicle coming off the line.”
