U.S. Army Implements Right to Repair Strategy to Cut Costs

The U.S. Army is moving to secure the right to repair its own equipment, reversing longstanding procurement practices that forced reliance on private contractors for even minor fixes. This initiative, driven by a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and backed by Army leadership, aims to renegotiate contracts to ensure military access to necessary maintenance tools, software, and technical data—while still protecting contractors' intellectual property. The shift is expected to reduce costs, cut repair delays, and improve combat readiness, as restrictive clauses have often led to excessive fees and operational slowdowns. The effort reflects wider bipartisan support and echoes broader right-to-repair debates across sectors, with advocates noting the military’s unique vulnerability to contractor-imposed limitations. Challenges remain in balancing military autonomy and industry IP rights, but experts see contract modifications as a key step toward reform. If successful, the Army’s approach could set a precedent for other federal agencies and influence commercial right-to-repair policy.