Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning has voiced concerns about proposed “right-to-repair” provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act. In an op-ed published by the Washington Times, Fanning called on Congress to reject these measures, arguing that they could have negative consequences for defense innovation.
“On paper, these provisions sound reasonable: give the Pentagon and third parties broad access to contractors’ proprietary intellectual property (IP) to fix and maintain equipment,” Fanning wrote. “But this approach won’t solve our readiness problems, and it could cripple the very innovation our warfighters rely on.”
Fanning emphasized that protecting intellectual property is particularly important for small and mid-sized companies within the defense sector. He stated, “They rely on IP protections to justify the high costs of developing advanced technologies.”
He concluded his commentary by urging lawmakers to focus on solutions that address underlying issues in military sustainment. “Let’s double down on what works: invest in workforce development, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen supply chains. The Pentagon already has the tools to get the IP it needs—let’s use them more effectively, not create new mandates that undermine innovation.”
The full op-ed can be accessed through the Washington Times.
