Congress Includes Prohibition on A-10 Retirement in NDAA 2026

AeroMorning December 15, 2025

Washington, D.C. — December 2025
In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Senate Bill S.2296), Congress has included a specific provision that prohibits the U.S. Air Force from reducing the inventory of Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft below a minimum level during Fiscal Year 2026.

The relevant legislative language is captured verbatim in the official Senate Armed Services Committee Report (S. Rept. 119-39) under Section 137:

“Sec. 137 — Prohibition on retirement of A-10 aircraft
The committee recommends a provision that would prohibit the Air Force from divesting A-10 aircraft below the inventory level of 103 in fiscal year 2026.

This language reflects congressional intent to preserve the A-10 fleet above 103 aircraft, effectively blocking retirements or divestments that would lower the active inventory below that threshold during the current fiscal year.

The provision forms part of a larger set of force-structure directives in S.2296, which also addresses other aircraft inventory requirements such as RQ-4 drones and modifications to retirement restrictions for certain fighter models.

What This Means

• The Air Force is prohibited from reducing its A-10 aircraft below 103 units during FY 2026 under this provision.
• Any planned retirements, storage, or divestment actions that would lower the inventory below this level are subject to this legislative prohibition.
• The committee language is part of the NDAA conference process that must be reconciled between House and Senate versions before final enactment.

Sources

• Senate Armed Services Committee Report (S. Rept. 119-39) — Section 137: Prohibition on retirement of A-10 aircraft.
• Congress.gov Listing for S.2296 — legislative text and related provisions. Haut du formulaire