Middle East integrated air and missile defense

Section 1658 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 2951) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection: (c) Report (1) Requirement Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing an update on progress made toward implementing an integrated air and missile defense architecture described in subsection (a). (2) Matters included The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) An assessment of the threat of ballistic and cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aerial systems, and rocket attacks from Iran and groups linked to Iran to allies and partners within the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command. (B) A description of the missile defense priorities and capability needs of the United States Central Command to defend against the threats described in subparagraph (A), and the planned regional missile defense architectures derived from such priorities and capability needs. (C) An analysis of current integrated air and missile defense systems in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command to defend against threats described in subparagraph (A) and meet the missile defense priorities described in subparagraph (B). (D) An assessment of progress made towards addressing challenges identified and meeting benchmarks established in the strategy required by subsection (b), including— (i) an identification of elements of the multinational integrated air and missile defense architecture that have been acquired by specified foreign partners since October 7, 2023; and (ii) an identification of elements of the multinational integrated air and missile defense architecture that— (I) can be acquired and operated by specified foreign partners; and (II) can only be provided and operated by members of the Armed Forces. (E) Lessons learned in combat operations against aerial threats since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, including— (i) countering the April 13, 2024, and October 1, 2024, ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran against Israel, including— (I) the adequacy of pre-existing data sharing agreements in facilitating effective joint responses with recommendations for further improvements; (II) the extent to which defensive operations were accomplished with personnel and equipment on regularly planned deployments versus personnel and equipment surged to the region on an ad hoc basis; (III) a comparative analysis of the performances of systems operated by the United States and operated by Israel in intercepting Iranian fires missiles and drones during the attacks; (IV) an estimate of the extent to which a similarly effective defense could be provided to allies and partners in the Middle East if attacked by Iran, and if currently insufficient, what changes to force structure or pre-staged equipment would be required to effectively do so; and (V) the extent to which the strategy under subsection (b) contributed to such defensive operations; and (ii) countering the more than 900 projectiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen against maritime targets in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command. (F) Such other matters as the Secretary considers relevant. (3) Protection of sensitive information Any activity carried out under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in a manner that is consistent with protection of intelligence sources and methods and appropriately protects sensitive information and the national security interests of the United States. (4) Format The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex..