ARMOR Act

This bill aims to speed up and simplify defense trade and cooperation among the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia—and, for certain transfers, Canada. It encourages the three AUKUS countries to work out rule conflicts that slow down repair and maintenance of shared defense equipment that isn’t on a restricted tech list. It expands faster license reviews to cover more kinds of moves (like shipping, returning, or temporarily bringing in gear) that happen within or between these countries’ territories.

It also adds oversight. The President must report 180 days after the law takes effect and then every year for 15 years, explaining progress, how many licenses were issued, who got them, and what types of items were involved. For transfers covered by this special exemption, some of the usual advance notice to Congress would not be required. To keep restrictions targeted, the State Department (with the Defense Department) must regularly review the “Excluded Technologies List” each year for five years starting 180 days after enactment, and then every three years, to ensure only truly sensitive items stay on it.

Key points

• Who is affected: U.S. and allied defense workers, companies, and agencies in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and (for certain transfers) Canada.
• What changes: Faster reviews for more types of defense transfers; some streamlined congressional notice; regular reports on usage; regular updates to the restricted tech list .
• When: First report due 180 days after enactment, then annually for 15 years; tech list reviewed yearly for five years from 180 days after enactment, then every three years .