"Right to repair provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, which would secure funding for the US military in 2026, are likely to be struck from the final language of the bill despite enjoying broad bipartisan support, sources familiar with ongoing negotiations tell WIRED. They say that provisions in the act enabling servicemembers to repair their own equipment are likely to be removed entirely, and replaced with a data-as-a-service subscription plan that benefits defense contractors."
"If a drone, fighter jet, or even a stove on a Navy vessel fails, US servicemembers in the field can't always fix it themselves. In many cases, they need to call a qualified repair person, approved by the manufacturer, and bring them out to the site to fix the problem. The military would love to sidestep that hassle by giving personnel the tools and materials to make their own repairs in the field, and has repeatedly called for Congress to enable it to do so."
Right-to-repair provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act are likely to be removed from the final bill and replaced with a data-as-a-service subscription plan that benefits defense contractors. Servicemembers often cannot fix equipment in the field and must call manufacturer-approved repair personnel for issues from drones to stoves on naval vessels. The military has repeatedly sought legal authority to allow personnel to perform their own repairs. Defense contractor groups opposing right-to-repair stand to lose revenue from parts and repair services. Differing Senate and House NDAA versions are in conference, with final language due before votes and presidential signature. Senator Elizabeth Warren added Sec. 836, inspired by the Warrior Right to Repair Act.
Read at WIRED
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