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Every year, Congress passes a wide-ranging measure to fund and set policies for the American military – the annual National Defense Authorization Act. This is no light reading: the fiscal 2026 version of the NDAA (PDF) is 3,100 pages. The table of contents alone is 43 pages.
The latest NDAA, which was signed into law by President Trump in December, passed through Congress on a bipartisan basis in both the House (312-112) and the Senate (77-20). This year’s bill covers just over $900 billion in appropriations for the Department of War, the Department of Energy, and some related national security agencies.
Every year, the legislation is crucial to literally 100s – or maybe 1,000s – of direct or indirect government contractors. This year in particular, it contains provisions that will dramatically change the rules of the road for battery suppliers like Amprius.
Among other things, the current NDAA lays out new restrictions on the ability of defense contractors to source battery components, raw materials, software, or technology from a “foreign entity of concern”.
To state the obvious, this is of particular interest to any company that manufacturers batteries for defense industry applications. Amprius, which counts defense contractors like AeroVironment, L3Harris, and Teledyne FLIR among our customer set, has a substantial interest in this topic.
The sensible intention of these regulations is to block the use of battery cells sourced from foreign entities of concern (FEOC), related components, and even raw materials.
To be clear, these new rules require considerable changes in the battery industry’s supply chain. By the start of 2028, the rules will apply to all new Department of War acquisition programs. A year after that, the rules expand to all standard batteries. And by early 2031, the new restriction will be applied to all existing battery acquisition programs, for any defense application.
Compliance with these rules requires vetting not just final packaging, but also the origin of all raw materials, anode and cathode components, and even battery management system firmware. Non-compliant battery systems will not be eligible for government contracts, or any federal, state or defense-adjacent applications.
The implication here is obvious: any company supplying U.S. drone and warfighting systems is going to have to transition away from foreign-produced batteries.
Amprius is hard at work to meet the demands of NDAA compliance.
In fact, we are well ahead of schedule.
Amprius is well on track to qualify NDAA-compliant sources for all 11 of the most critical components used in our batteries, including anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, and separators. Those components account for more than 95% of total battery manufacturing costs, giving the company meaningful flexibility in how and where it produces cells for customers with strict compliance requirements.
We’ve also recently announced our first agreement with a U.S.-based contract manufacturer, Nanotech Energy in Chico, California, further expanding our manufacturing capabilities to support NDAA-aligned programs.
Beginning in Spring 2026, Amprius expects to offer customers NDAA-compliant battery production pathways, including final assembly performed outside any designated “FEOC.” At the same time, the company will continue to manufacture batteries in China for customers and applications where NDAA compliance is not required, reflecting a pragmatic, global manufacturing strategy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Amprius designs and builds silicon-rich lithium-ion batteries that are transforming what’s possible in electric mobility—enabling longer range, faster charging, and higher payloads. Our batteries serve markets such as manned and unmanned aircraft, light electric vehicles, and robotics, where supply-chain transparency and resilience are increasingly important. We support the government’s push to boost domestic production of batteries and related components— it makes sense for national security, it supports American manufacturers and workers, and it opens new opportunities for Amprius.
Forward-Looking Statements
This blog includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “will” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing and ability of Amprius to provide NDAA-compliant battery production pathways, the ability of Amprius to continue utilizing contract manufacturers in China, the potential applications and addressable markets of Amprius’ products, and the strategic advantages of achieving NDAA compliance ahead of schedule. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this blog, and on the current expectations of Amprius’ management and are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including Amprius’ ability to manage its new contract manufacturing relationship effectively; risks related to achieving cost efficiencies; Amprius’ liquidity position; risks related to the rollout of Amprius’ business and the timing of expected business milestones; Amprius’ ability to commercially produce high performing batteries; the effects of competition on Amprius’ business; supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of Amprius’ products; and changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions. More information on these risks and uncertainties that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the documents we filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There may be additional risks that Amprius does not presently know or that Amprius currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Amprius’ expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this blog. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Amprius’ assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this blog. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Amprius specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
This blog includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “will” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing and ability of Amprius to provide NDAA-compliant battery production pathways, the ability of Amprius to continue utilizing contract manufacturers in China, the potential applications and addressable markets of Amprius’ products, and the strategic advantages of achieving NDAA compliance ahead of schedule. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this blog, and on the current expectations of Amprius’ management and are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including Amprius’ ability to manage its new contract manufacturing relationship effectively; risks related to achieving cost efficiencies; Amprius’ liquidity position; risks related to the rollout of Amprius’ business and the timing of expected business milestones; Amprius’ ability to commercially produce high performing batteries; the effects of competition on Amprius’ business; supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of Amprius’ products; and changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions. More information on these risks and uncertainties that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the documents we filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There may be additional risks that Amprius does not presently know or that Amprius currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Amprius’ expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this blog. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Amprius’ assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this blog. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Amprius specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
