The Pentagon is directing the Army to seek right to repair provisions in contracts where access to maintenance tools and data is restricted by intellectual property.
The US Department of Defense wants new and existing Army contracts to include right to repair provisions, aiming to reduce costs and delays tied to reliance on original equipment manufacturers for servicing.
In an April 30 memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the Army to implement a comprehensive transformation strategy, which includes identifying where intellectual property restrictions limit access to maintenance tools, software, and technical data. The memo instructs the Army to identify and propose contract modifications and to seek inclusion of right to repair provisions in all new contracts and ensure they’re included in all new contracts.
The right to repair directive is part of a broader initiative to modernize acquisition processes and reduce inefficiencies. Hegseth called on the Army to “reform the acquisition process, modernize inefficient defense contracts, and overcome parochial interests” as part of a sweeping effort to rebuild the Army and enhance readiness.
Other priorities in the memo include fielding long-range missiles and AI-enabled command and control systems by 2027, restructuring Army headquarters, and consolidating sustainment operations. The Department is also urging reductions in outdated programs and platforms—such as manned aircraft, excess ground vehicles, and legacy UAVs—to redirect resources toward modernization efforts like cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems.
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