U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Act

Summary#

This bill would expand U.S. defense cooperation with Israel through several new and changed programs. It would create a United States-Israel Counter-Unmanned Systems Program to develop, test, and deploy technologies to counter drones and other unmanned systems. The Secretary of Defense would set up a program office in the Department of Defense and share technical work, joint training, and procurement. The bill also extends and increases funding levels for existing U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation and counter-unmanned aerial systems cooperation. It creates an Emerging Technology Capabilities program for joint research in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum, and automation and sets rules for cost sharing, intellectual property, and reporting. The bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel, to seek talks on Israel joining the U.S. national technology and industrial base, and to extend war reserve stockpile authority dates. It requires assessments and reports, including an assessment of integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region and multiple annual or semiannual reports to congressional committees. The bill includes language to protect sensitive information and says it does not supersede existing agreements.

What it means for you#

  • If you work in U.S. or Israeli defense research, industry, or the military, the bill could lead to more joint projects, training, and procurement between the two countries.
  • The bill creates new reporting requirements for the Department of Defense and increases program oversight.
  • The general public would see no immediate direct action from the bill; it mainly directs defense cooperation, assessments, and authorized spending.
  • Specific program details, contracts, or personnel effects are not provided in the bill text.

Expenses#

  • United States-Israel Counter-Unmanned Systems Program: authorized to be appropriated $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (total authorization over those years: $750,000,000).
  • United States-Israel Emerging Technology Capabilities program: authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (total authorization over those years: $250,000,000).
  • The bill amends prior statutes to increase existing amounts: the anti-tunnel cooperation amount is increased from $50,000,000 to $80,000,000, and the counter-unmanned aerial systems cooperation amount is increased from $55,000,000 to $75,000,000. These sections also extend program end dates to December 31, 2028.
  • The bill extends the date for war reserve stockpile authority from after January 1, 2027 to after January 1, 2029.
  • No overall federal cost estimate or appropriations timing is provided in the bill text beyond the listed authorizations. If no further information is available: No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s text and the Sense of Congress explain why sponsors support it: the United States and Israel are closely linked and face common, evolving threats; cooperation will leverage Israeli expertise (particularly on counter-unmanned systems) and U.S. capabilities; and joint work in emerging technologies will help both countries meet future defense challenges. The bill also aims to improve operational readiness through joint training and to strengthen regional air and missile defenses.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.