NC South Carolina Times

Representatives Joe Wilson and Donald Norcross have introduced the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 in a bipartisan effort to strengthen security ties between the two nations. The Senate has also seen the introduction of companion legislation by Senators Dan Sullivan, Gary Peters, Richard Blumenthal, Pete Ricketts, and Jacky Rosen.

The proposed bill aims to extend and expand current bilateral security initiatives while establishing new cooperative programs. These include a focus on unmanned systems, setting up a Defense Innovation Unit in Israel, and advocating for Israel's inclusion in the National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB). Additionally, it encourages increased cooperation between Israel and regional countries on Integrated Air and Missile Defense.

Key provisions of the bill include a U.S.-Israel cooperative program authorized at $150 million annually through fiscal year 2030 for joint research on countering unmanned systems. It extends authorization for the "Future of Warfare" technologies program through FY30 at $50 million annually. This will facilitate collaboration on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and automation. The bill also reauthorizes cooperation on countering unmanned aerial systems and anti-tunneling through FY28 with increased funding by $20 million each.

Furthermore, it extends the War Reserve Stockpile Authority-Israel (WRSA-I) until January 1, 2029. The Department of Defense is directed to establish a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and engage with Israel regarding its potential addition to the NTIB.

Congressman Joe Wilson stated that this legislation ensures continued collaboration between the United States and Israel against mutual threats: "The U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 will ensure that the United States and Israel continue to work together to confront the most diverse and dangerous array of mutual threats we’ve ever faced."

Congressman Donald Norcross emphasized the importance of this partnership for American safety: "The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act will build on this existing partnership by enhancing defense cooperation between our two countries."

The full text of H.R. 1229 is available online.