Compromise Defense Budget Bill Would Authorize 13 Navy Ships in 2018

A compromise version of the 2018 defense policy bill would allow the U.S. Navy to acquire 13 ships — higher than the Trump administration’s request for eight vessels, Defense News reported Wednesday.

Earlier this week, a joint House-Senate conference committee agreed on a compromise National Defense Authorization Act that includes $692 billion in fiscal 2018 Defense Department funds.

The committee agreed to authorize three littoral combat ships proposed by the House Armed Services Committee and added a destroyer, an amphibious transport dock, an expeditionary sea base and a cable ship.

The bill would also fund the repairs of destroyers USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain, which were involved in separate collisions in summer.

Congress is slated to review and approve the compromise NDAA in coming weeks.