President Donald Trump signs the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Credit: Michael Strasser.

US President Donald Trump has signed the Fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during a ceremony at Fort Drum, New York.

With a national defence budget of $716bn, the NDAA will help support the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) goal in strengthening the readiness and capabilities of the country’s armed forces.

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Trump said: “I’m here today to sign the new defence bill into law, and to pay tribute to the greatest soldiers in the history of the world, the US Army.

“The NDAA is the most significant investment in our military, in our warfighters, in modern history.”

“The NDAA is the most significant investment in our military, in our warfighters, in modern history.”

Named for Arizona Senator John S. McCain, the defence act authorises a 2.6% military pay raise for the service members, in addition to increasing the military’s authorised active duty forces by 15,600 members.

Trump added: “With this new authorisation, we will increase the size and strength of our military by adding thousands of new recruits to active duty, Reserve and National Guard units, including 4,000 new active duty soldiers.”

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According to the president, the support and cooperation of Congress in the passing of the bill will enable new authorities to rebuild the military arsenal of the country.

Furthermore, the signing of the act will provide the warfighters with the firepower they require to successfully fight and win in any battle, quickly and decisively.

In fiscal year 2019, which will begin on 1 October 2018, the defence authorisation act is expected to set active duty end strength for the US Army at 487,500.