For the first time in years, the House Appropriations defense subcommittee has proposed funding only the number of F-35s that the Pentagon asked for in fiscal 2022 instead of providing dollars for extra aircraft.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) has vowed not to kill the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent and is urging lawmakers to fully fund the Adaptive Engine Transition Program to mitigate F-35 woes.

The Pentagon wants to begin negotiations on an administrative agreement with the European Defense Agency to further U.S. involvement in Permanent Structured Cooperation projects.