Mississippi is poised to receive at least $528 million in direct funding under the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, according to figures released by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s office after congressional passage of the bill.

The $528 million includes funding explicitly authorized for Mississippi military installations, universities, research and education programs across the state, said Wicker, the Republican from Mississippi who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“Congress’s annual defense bill is vast, authorizing programs for the Pentagon, as well as the State Department, the intelligence communities, the Coast Guard, and more,” Wicker said in a statement. “But amid those diverse provisions, one fact is clear: Mississippi is a vital link in the chain of American national defense.” 

That direct funding includes $53 million for five military construction projects, including upgrades at Columbus Air Force Base, Camp Shelby, Meridian’s Readiness Center and Key Field Air National Guard Base. 

The act also authorized additional money for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence research, autonomous vehicle testing, JROTC programs and advanced manufacturing programs tied to Mississippi universities and defense facilities.

Other provisions of the act involve Mississippi but do not include specific dollar amounts, such as language protecting services at Keesler Medical Center, authorizing a 3.8% military pay raise and establishing new programs for un-crewed maritime systems operating from Gulfport.

President Donald Trump earlier this month signed a broad spending bill, which includes an appropriation for the Department of Defense, into law. This appropriation solidifies the spending authority outlined in the NDAA.