The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 15, 2023

We start this midweek INSIDER Daily Digest with news on the U.S.-Australia submarine program, the Army sees trouble ahead if Congress doesn’t pass an appropriations bill soon, a cruise missile defense project has fallen behind schedule, and several lawmakers want Israel to get new air refueling tankers.

Two congressmen expect legislation to be approved for the AUKUS effort:

Lawmakers ‘optimistic’ AUKUS legislation will pass this year

Two members of the House Armed Services Committee today said they are “optimistic” a series of legislative proposals intended to help implement the AUKUS security partnership will soon be enacted by Congress.

The Army may run into trouble if the congressional continuing resolution lasts much longer:

Wormuth says at least $6B in programs would be delayed under six-month CR

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Tuesday that under a hypothetical six-month continuing resolution, at least $6 billion in programs would be either delayed or disrupted.

An Army missile defense project has fallen behind schedule:

IFPC Inc 2 suffering delay of at least 8 months; ‘aggressive’ effort to support Guam fielding

The Army project to develop a next-generation cruise missile defense system is facing a delay even as the effort -- called the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 -- is carrying out what one senior official calls “aggressive activity” to support fielding in Guam by 2027 as part of a new air and missile defense system intended to counter China’s designs on Taiwan.

Several members of Congress want new tankers delivered to Israel quickly:

Lawmakers urge DOD to announce expedited delivery of KC-46A to Israel

Lawmakers are urging the Defense Department to accelerate delivery of the KC-46A tankers purchased by Israel, according to a letter sent last week.