# What the US-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2024 Actually Does

This bill strengthens the military partnership between the United States and Jordan by making it easier and faster to sell weapons and military equipment to Jordan, and by increasing cooperation on defense projects. Think of it as the U.S. government saying "we're committed to helping Jordan defend itself" and then removing some of the bureaucratic hurdles that normally slow down military sales.

The main practical change is that for the next three years, Jordan gets treated like a close ally when it comes to purchasing American military equipment. Normally, when the U.S. sells weapons or military gear to other countries, Congress has a waiting period to review and potentially block the sale. This bill speeds up that process for Jordan specifically, allowing weapons sales to move forward more quickly. The bill also expresses Congress's support for giving Jordan $1.45 billion per year in military and economic aid through 2029, which is already happening under an existing agreement signed in 2022.

Beyond weapons sales, the bill directs the U.S. military to work with Jordan on developing defenses against rockets, missiles, and drones—particularly threats coming from Iran. The U.S. and Jordan would share research and development costs for these defense systems, and they'd need to work out agreements about who owns any new technology they develop together. The bill also asks the Pentagon to create a plan for integrating Jordan into a broader Middle Eastern air and missile defense system that protects multiple countries in the region from Iranian threats.

All of these defense cooperation activities are set to expire at the end of 2028, though Congress could renew them. The bill essentially signals that the U.S. views Jordan as an important strategic partner in a volatile region and wants to invest in its military capabilities and security.