Sponsors (54)
Official title: To enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Ronny Jackson · Last progress February 12, 2026
The bill accelerates U.S. access to and joint development of Israeli defense technologies—boosting readiness, interoperability, and industry opportunities—while increasing federal spending and creating security, supply‑chain, compliance, and transparency risks that policymakers will need to manage.
U.S. military personnel will gain faster access to advanced Israeli-origin defense technologies (missile defense, counter‑UAS, AI-enabled systems), shortening the time to field new capabilities for force protection and operations.
Service members and defense planners will see stronger interoperability and readiness through expanded joint R&D, testing, training, and information sharing with Israeli partners, improving coalition operations and capability development.
U.S. defense contractors, tech workers, and smaller industry partners could receive new contracts, co‑production and licensing opportunities and—supported by the bill's multi‑year funding—greater ability to plan investments and commercialize technologies.
Taxpayers and the federal budget face increased spending obligations (including the bill's $150M/year authorization and an estimated $450M over three years if appropriated), which could raise deficit pressures or crowd out other priorities.
Rapid transfer and integration of foreign‑origin defense technologies raises risks of sensitive technology exposure, espionage, or unintended proliferation if protections and export controls fail, potentially harming U.S. national security.
U.S. dependence on Israeli suppliers or integrated supply chains could increase, complicating supply‑chain security and resilience for the defense industrial base.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a DoD‑led U.S.–Israel initiative to accelerate joint defense R&D, integration, and U.S.-based co‑production, authorizing $150M per year for FY2027–2029.
Creates a U.S.–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative led by the Secretary of Defense, with Israeli concurrence, to accelerate joint development, testing, integration, and U.S.-based co‑production of Israeli-origin and jointly developed defense technologies. It requires regular unclassified reports to Congress, public updates to the extent possible, and authorizes $150 million per year for FY2027–2029 to carry out the program. The Initiative covers a broad list of priority technology domains (including counter-UAS, missile/air defense, AI/quantum/autonomy, directed energy, cyber/electronic warfare, biotech/medical defense, and manufacturing/co-production) and directs DoD to coordinate with other agencies and specific DoD offices to identify candidates for integration, protect sensitive information, and speed transition from R&D into procurement and fielding.