WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Armed Services Committee approved Section 224 of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Section 224 is titled the “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative.” It would establish a framework for integrating Israeli-developed technologies into U.S. research, procurement, manufacturing, and acquisition processes. This framework applies to artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyberwarfare, biotechnology, missile defense, and defense industrial production.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. William Astore said, “I can’t think of another example of Congress formalizing integration of critical national security technologies with a foreign power.” Astore added, “Israel is a leader in using AI predictive models and programs to surveil and kill people, using manned and unmanned drones.” He also stated, “The ‘smart,’ even autonomous technologies Israel has used against Palestinians could very well be used by the U.S. government against American citizens — especially the so-called radical left that President Trump appears to see as domestic terrorists.”
Rep. Ro Khanna introduced an amendment in the committee to remove Section 224. The amendment failed in committee following opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith argued that the U.S. benefits from access to Israeli military technologies developed under real-world combat conditions.
Section 224 of the FY2027 NDAA adopts provisions previously proposed in the United States–Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act of 2026. The FUTURES Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ted Budd and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and in the House by Rep. Ronny Jackson and Rep. Don Davis. This act did not advance as standalone legislation. The FUTURES Act received public backing from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and FDD Action. Reports have detailed Defense Department concerns regarding Israeli espionage risks.
The current Memorandum of Understanding provides approximately $3.3 billion annually in foreign military financing and $500 million annually for missile defense cooperation. The total value of this Memorandum of Understanding is $38 billion over 10 years through 2028. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in January that he hoped to replace Israel’s dependence on American military assistance within the next decade.