The US House of Representatives has passed a $1.15 trillion defence policy bill which would embed military support for Israel more deeply within Pentagon research, weapons procurement, technology sharing and the American defence-industrial base.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2027 fiscal year passed yesterday by 216 votes to 212. Six Democrats joined 209 Republicans and one independent in supporting the legislation, while seven Republicans voted against it alongside 205 Democrats. Three representatives did not vote.
At the centre of the controversy is section 219, titled the “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative”.
The provision requires the US secretary of defence to appoint an executive agent responsible for synchronising, expanding and accelerating military technology cooperation between the US and Israel.
The Pentagon official would identify jointly developed and Israeli-origin technologies for possible integration into established US weapons systems and acquisition programmes. The official would also help move technology from research and development into procurement and create frameworks for joint ventures, licensing agreements and US-based manufacturing partnerships involving Israeli arms companies.
