No one knew when the bill was introduced back in March that Israel would be at war with Hamas after one of the most barbaric terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians in history.
What’s the bill? H.R.1777. United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023.
Introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), and co-sponsored by 141 representatives from both sides of the aisle, the bill “requires the Department of Defense to establish the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund to conduct collaborative defense projects between the United States and Israel in areas of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence).”
Among other provisions, the bill:
- establishes U.S. policy to encourage further defense collaboration with Israel in areas of emerging technologies that can enable both U.S. and Israeli warfare capabilities to meet the challenges of the future, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy and automation;
- establishes the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund, authorized at $50 million annually through FY28, which will allow the U.S. and Israel to scale up cooperation in these fields.
Rep. Wilson commented, “The United States and Israel face a number of common evolving threats. It is critical that we work together strategically to develop joint defense technologies to ensure we are on the cutting edge of research and development and a step ahead of our adversaries. I am grateful to introduce this bipartisan legislation to further this objective with the establishment of this fund which will benefit both countries.”
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), who co-led the introduction of the bipartisan bill, said, “As adversaries of our two countries rally at an increasingly hostile and capable pace, the U.S. – Israel Future of Warfare Act affirms that deeper collaboration on advanced defense technologies is imperative. I am pleased to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to strengthen Israel’s ability to defend itself and develop technologies that will save lives and prevent conflict escalation in the Middle East.”
What will happen to the bill now that the House has a new Speaker remains a matter for speculation. Israel’s war with Hamas makes it clear, however, that threats to Israel and the security of the United States are real and make the need for this legislation more critical than ever.