The Pentagon plans to allocate an additional US$12.6 billion to strengthen surveillance of China’s military activities, including its maneuvers, submarines, and satellites, in response to what it calls an “unprecedented Chinese military build-up” in the Indo-Pacific.

Axar.az, citing South China Morning Post, reports that the funding, approved by Congress outside the normal budget process, is intended to enhance U.S. military readiness, offensive cyber capabilities, and surveillance operations, and also supports the operation of a classified Boeing spacecraft, the X-37B “Orbital Test Vehicle.”

The spending is detailed in an 85-page Pentagon document submitted to Congress and forms part of a broader $152 billion allocation from last year’s tax-and-spending package, separate from the formal $893 billion fiscal 2026 defense budget.

According to the Pentagon, the new funds are aimed at countering the growing threats to U.S. security interests and economic prosperity in the region.