The Trump administration is working to grow the U.S. military into a "more lethal and resilient force," signing off on an increase of more than 15,600 troops across the military branches and a pay raise for soldiers, according to the White House.
The Trump administration on Monday signed a massive military spending package that includes $716 billion for national defense in the next fiscal year, the White House announced.
The annual defense bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, "helps develop a more lethal and resilient force, and grows the size of our forces by authorizing an increase of 15,600 troops across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps," according to a release by the White House.
This breaks down to 487,500 for the Army, 335,400 in the Navy, 186,100 in the Marine Corps, and 329,100 in the Air Force.
The administration also has implemented new military hardware procurement packages worth billions, including $7.6 billion to add 77 F-35 fighter jets and $24.1 billion to construct 12 new battle force ships.
Additionally, the White House authorized a 2.6 percent military pay raise that the White House describes as "the largest pay raise in nine years." This includes special pay and bonuses for those operating in high-demand areas.
The administration also allocated some $500 million for the joint U.S.-Israeli production of missile defense systems viewed as key to the Jewish state's protection for terrorists.