Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the United States and Israel are preparing to deepen their long-standing defence partnership through expanded collaboration in military technology, artificial intelligence and advanced research, following the inclusion of a new provision in the proposed US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2027.

Speaking during an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said the relationship between the two allies is entering a new phase, with Israel transitioning from being primarily a recipient of American military assistance to becoming a strategic technology partner.

"The time has now arrived for us to move from aid recipient to partner," Netanyahu said, adding that both governments are working to align their defence frameworks to address future security challenges.

Technology Partnership Proposed

The proposed legislation includes Section 224, officially titled the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, which seeks to institutionalise greater cooperation in next-generation defence technologies.

If approved, the initiative would encourage joint development and research in areas including artificial intelligence, autonomous military platforms, quantum computing, advanced drone systems and emerging defence technologies. The proposal also aims to expand cooperation between defence industries, research institutions and military agencies of both countries.

The draft further envisions enhanced sharing of defence-related data and broader collaboration in research, production and innovation programmes.

No Unified Military Command

Despite the proposed expansion, the initiative does not seek to establish a unified military command or integrate the armed forces of the United States and Israel.

Instead, the focus remains on strengthening technological cooperation and accelerating the joint development of advanced military capabilities while preserving each country's independent command structure.

Supporters argue that closer collaboration will improve interoperability and help both nations respond more effectively to evolving regional and global security threats.

Political Debate in Washington

The proposal has also generated political debate in the United States.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna introduced an amendment seeking to remove Section 224 from the defence bill, arguing that the measure could grant Israel excessive influence over American defence policy.

Following the rejection of his amendment during a voice vote, Khanna said many Americans wanted Washington to maintain greater control over its defence priorities rather than expand cooperation with Israel.

Supporters of the initiative, however, contend that the legislation merely formalises an already extensive strategic partnership while promoting innovation in defence technology and strengthening industrial collaboration between the two countries.

Part of Wider Strategic Cooperation

The proposed initiative reflects decades of close military cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem, including joint missile defence programmes, intelligence sharing and defence research.

Officials backing the measure believe emerging technologies such as AI-enabled defence systems, cyber capabilities and autonomous platforms will play an increasingly important role in future warfare, making deeper technological collaboration strategically significant.

The proposal also aligns with broader efforts by both countries to modernise defence capabilities amid evolving geopolitical and security challenges.

Legislative Process Still Pending

The defence technology cooperation initiative currently remains part of the draft 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

Before becoming law, the NDAA must receive approval from both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, followed by the President's signature.

Until the legislative process is completed, the proposed framework remains subject to debate, amendments and final congressional approval.

If enacted, the initiative could mark one of the most significant expansions of US-Israel defence technology cooperation in recent years, further strengthening collaboration in advanced military research and innovation.