U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025: Millions More for Joint Military Tech, Anti-Tunnel Systems

The "United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025" is all about doubling down on military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. It's not just talk – this bill puts real money and resources behind several joint defense initiatives, focusing on everything from countering drones and digging up tunnels to working together on cutting-edge tech like AI.

Digging Deeper and Flying Higher: Anti-Tunnel and Anti-Drone Cooperation

This bill extends and expands two existing programs:

• Anti-Tunnel Cooperation: Originally set to expire in 2026, this program now runs through 2028, with funding bumped up to $80 million (SEC. 4). Think of it like this: if you're a construction worker dealing with underground infrastructure, this is the high-tech military equivalent, focused on detecting and neutralizing hidden tunnels.
• Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) Cooperation: This program also gets extended to 2028 and sees its funding boosted to $75 million (SEC. 5). Imagine a delivery driver constantly worried about drone interference – this program aims to develop technologies to protect against threats from unmanned aircraft.

Teaming Up on Tomorrow's Tech: The New Stuff

Beyond those extensions, the bill creates some brand-new initiatives:

• United States-Israel Counter-Unmanned Systems Program: This is a big one. It establishes a dedicated program, with its own office within the Department of Defense, to enhance cooperation on countering all sorts of unmanned systems – air, sea, and ground (SEC. 3). This program gets a hefty $150 million per year from 2026 to 2030. It covers everything from joint research with universities and companies to training and sharing information. For example, a software engineer working on autonomous vehicle technology might find their skills relevant to this program's goals.
• United States-Israel Emerging Technology Capabilities Cooperation: This encourages collaboration on "emerging technologies" like AI and cybersecurity (SEC. 6). It authorizes joint research and development, with a focus on protecting sensitive information. This program is funded at $50 million per year from 2026 to 2030. The bill requires a cost-sharing agreement and a framework for intellectual property rights. The Irregular Warfare Technology Support Directorate will lead this effort within the Department of Defense.

Beyond the Gadgets: Base Security and Intel

It is not all about the tech. The bill also has some housekeeping:

• War Reserves Stockpile Authority Extension: This somewhat obscure provision extends the authority to maintain a stockpile of war reserves until 2029 (SEC. 7). It is like keeping a well-stocked emergency kit, but on a national scale.
• Defense Innovation Unit Office in Israel: A new office will be set up in Israel within 180 days to work with the Israeli Ministry of Defense and private sector, specifically to prevent Iran from developing "dual-use defense technologies" (SEC. 8). This is about leveraging the innovation of both countries to enhance national security.
• National Technology Industrial Base: The Secretary of Defense is directed to discuss with Israel the possibility of including them in the "national technology and industrial base" within 90 days (SEC. 9). This is like expanding the team of trusted suppliers and collaborators for critical technologies.

Checking the Airspace: Regional Missile Defense

Finally, the bill requires an assessment of integrated air and missile defense in the area covered by U.S. Central Command (SEC. 10). This assessment will look at:

• The current state of air and missile defense in the region.
• How to strengthen it.
• What's needed to improve cooperation between the U.S., Israel, and other partners to achieve full operational capability. The assessment will take into account lessons from recent airstrikes by Iran against Israel. A report on this assessment is due to Congress within 180 days.