Elizabeth Warren Pushes Defense Industry to Support Military Right-to-Repair Reforms

Democratic U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has intensified her campaign urging defense contractors to stop resisting proposed right-to-repair legislation, as Congress works to finalize the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a strongly worded letter dated November 5 to National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) President David Norquist, Warren criticized the group for attempting to block bipartisan efforts that would grant the Pentagon greater authority to repair its own equipment and weapons. She called the opposition “a dangerous and misguided attempt to protect an unacceptable status quo of giant contractor profiteering.”

The senator’s letter comes as lawmakers reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the NDAA, both of which include provisions requiring contractors to provide technical data that would enable trained military personnel to make field repairs. Warren argued that such measures could save taxpayers billions while enhancing military readiness. Currently, the Pentagon often relies on contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX to service broken parts, a process that can be slower and more expensive than in-house repairs or 3D-printed alternatives.

Warren also cited Government Accountability Office reports showing how restrictive contracts have forced maintainers to cannibalize grounded aircraft for parts and wait weeks for manufacturer authorization. Highlighting inefficiencies, she referenced an Army case where a $47,000 helicopter screen control knob assembly could be replicated for just $15. The Pentagon, meanwhile, has directed the Army to review contracts to ensure future agreements guarantee repair rights—signaling growing momentum for reform across defense operations.

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