First Posted: 2/3/2015
LIMA — The Joint Systems Manufacturing Center may have some federal money coming its way.
President Barack Obama’s budget proposal included more than $445 million to support modifications to the Abrams Tank and more than $660 million for the Stryker Vehicle, according to a statement from U.S. Sen, Sherrod Brown’s office.
Obama signed the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 in December, which included money set aside for two vehicles the JSMC makes: the Abrams Tank and the Army Stryker.
There is $237,023 authorized for the Abrams Tank and another $120,000 authorized for an Abrams upgrade program, according to the act.
For the Stryker Vehicle, $435,110 was authorized, $100,000 more than was requested, according to the act. The Stryker also was authorized for $39,683 and, under combat vehicle improvement programs, Stryker ECP risk mitigation was authorized for $26,000.
“This is great news for Lima’s Joint Systems Manufacturing Center and its workers who make top-notch military vehicles,” Brown, D-Ohio, said in a statement. “Our servicemembers deserve the best equipment in the world — and this ensures that workers in Lima will continue to build it for them.”
U,S, Sen Rob Portman, R-Ohio, also released a statement, stating that he was pleased with the Army’s continued commitment to upgrades.
“Without our efforts over the past several years, the combat vehicle industrial base likely would not remain ready to shoulder that requirement,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the details of the president’s latest proposals, the plans for recently appropriated funds, and the latest foreign sales projections for 2017 and 2018 to ensure we have a smooth transition to this next phase of Abrams upgrade work.”
A spokesperson with General Dynamics, the company that operates the JSMC, who did not want to be identified, said the company was still analyzing the budget. They were not able to provide further comment on Tuesday.
JSMC officials did not immediately return calls for comment and deferred to General Dynamics.
