US defence bill measure would ban Pentagon to buy Chinese, Russian-backed OLED technology

The US House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would block the Pentagon from purchasing OLED display technology produced by companies backed by the governments of China or Russia.

The measure, introduced by Republican Congressman Austin Scott of Georgia, was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual military funding bill. The legislation passed the House last week with a 231–196 vote and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

The amendment would bar the Pentagon from purchasing OLED displays, the same kind of displays used in smart phones, from firms backed by the governments of U.S. adversaries.

”These technologies are the backbone of critical military equipment, from cockpit displays to soldier-worn systems, and our dependence on adversarial sources poses a clear risk to our national security and technological sovereignty,” Scott told Reuters.

In a statement, Scott told Reuters the revised amendment aims to ensure the U.S. does not become dependent on displays from other foreign adversaries such as Russia.

The measure to fund the U.S. military, including Scott’s amendment, is subject to approval by the Senate.

Scott’s amendment is broader than an earlier version that would have required the Pentagon to examine whether several Chinese companies should be added to a U.S. list of Chinese military companies.

With inputs from agencies