HR7178-119

What This Bill Does

The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act responds to unmanned aircraft threats from Iran and Iran-backed groups by expanding U.S.-Israel counter-drone cooperation. The findings describe attacks on U.S. forces, U.S. facilities, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The bill states that the United States should deepen joint research, development, fielding, threat-information exchange, joint training, acquisition-office coordination, and use of the U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group. It amends section 1278 of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act to increase the covered counter-unmanned systems amount from $55 million to $100 million. It also requires annual Defense Department reports to congressional defense committees describing prior-year activities, progress against operational requirements, harmonization with U.S. programs and DOD contractor programs, transition to U.S. or Israeli acquisition managers, funding recommendations, and assessments of the Iran and proxy UAS threat and current anti-UAS capability adequacy.

Who Benefits and How

U.S. Armed Forces, Israeli military services, U.S. bases in the Middle East, Israeli civilians, and regional partners exposed to Iran-backed drone attacks benefit from expanded counter-UAS research and fielding. U.S. and Israeli defense technology offices benefit from a larger authorized cooperation amount and clearer reporting around transition to acquisition programs. Defense contractors working on counter-drone systems may benefit from harmonization with DOD programs and acquisition pathways. Congressional defense committees benefit from annual progress, funding, and threat reports.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal taxpayers bear the cost of increasing the authorized amount to $100 million. Defense Department offices must coordinate with Israeli counterparts, track joint activities, assess Iran and proxy threats, align with contractor programs, identify acquisition managers, make funding recommendations, and submit annual reports. Programs that cannot transition from research to acquisition may face congressional scrutiny. Iran-backed armed groups face greater counter-drone capability pressure if the cooperation succeeds.

Key Provisions

• States congressional support for deeper U.S.-Israel counter-unmanned systems cooperation.
• Increases the covered cooperation amount from $55 million to $100 million.
• Requires annual Defense Department reporting on prior-year counter-UAS activities and operational progress.
• Requires reporting on harmonization with U.S. programs, DOD contractor programs, and acquisition transition.
• Requires funding recommendations and assessments of Iran and proxy unmanned systems threats.
• Requires assessment of whether U.S. and Israeli anti-UAS capabilities are adequate for the threat.