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Who approves foreign military sales

Author

Robert Miller

Published Apr 05, 2026

The President designates countries and international organizations eligible to participate in FMS. The Department of State approves individual programs on a case-by-case basis. Currently, some 189 countries and international organizations participate in FMS.

What starts the FMS process?

If logistical or financial requirements change after the FMS case is implemented, it may be necessary to amend or modify the case. LOA Amendments and Modifications are discussed later in Chapter 8.

How long does foreign military sales document?

When certifying officials send electronic payment files only to the DO, they keep supporting documentation for 6 years and 3-months, except that the retention period for such documentation for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) transactions is 10 years; see Volume 15 of this regulation.

What specific authorities permit the Department of Defense to sell defense articles and services to foreign countries and international organizations?

Congress has authorized such sales under two laws: The Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961, 22 U.S.C. §2151, et seq.

What is an FMS contract?

The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program is a form of security assistance authorized by the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended [22 U.S.C. 2751, et. … Under FMS, the U.S. Government and a foreign government enter into a government-to-government agreement called a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA).

What is a Yockey waiver?

OUSD(AT&L) approval, often referred to as a “Yockey Waiver,” is required prior to issuance of P&A data or LOAs for MDE that has not satisfactorily completed OT&E. The LOR Advisory does not replace this process and is not the vehicle for obtaining OUSD(AT&L) approval for pre-OT&E sales.

Who governs the FMS process?

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) administers the FMS program for the Department of Defense (DoD). Under FMS, the U.S. Government uses DoD’s acquisition system to procure defense articles and services on behalf of its partners.

How long does foreign military sales documentation have to be retained following case closure?

D. The record retention period for FMS documents is 10 years from the date of final case closure. For more detailed guidance, see Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Disposition Schedules 5015.2-M, Volume 2, “Schedule 7360, FMS Records”.

What laws govern transfers of military articles and services to foreign governments?

Congress enacted the current statutory framework for the sale and export of defense articles to other countries mainly through two laws—The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961(FAA), 22 U.S.C §2151, et seq., and the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (AECA), 22 U.S.C. §2751, et seq.

Does the United States sell weapons to other countries?

Almost half (47%) of US arms exports went to the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for 24% of total US arms exports. The US is now supplying arms to 96 states while increasing its global share of arms sales during the five year period.

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What does a foreign military sales analyst do?

The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Analyst will provide International Affairs and FMS case management support for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) development and execution. Responsibilities: Exhibits technical and operational proficiency in the primary duties of the job family.

What are three authorized uses of the GPC?

The Governmentwide purchase card may be used to (1) Make micro-purchases; (2) Place a task or delivery order (if authorized in the basic contract, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase agreement; or (3) Make payments, when the contractor agrees to accept payment by the card.

What are the advantages of using GPC?

  • Prompt payments in line with Government initiatives.
  • Improved cash flow.
  • Reduces bad debt and late payments.
  • Reduced administrative costs.

What are the 3 types of contracts?

  • Fixed-price contracts.
  • Cost-plus contracts.
  • Time and materials contracts.

Does FMS funding expire?

Budget authority associated with these FMS cases is treated as non-expiring funds. Obligations may be placed as long as money is on the case.

Do you need an export license for FMS?

For FMS, DSCA and the Department of State (DOS) review and initiate new FMS cases, based on national security and foreign policy priorities. The U.S. Government is exporting on behalf of the U.S. vendor under the authority of the LOA, so the items do not require an export license.

Who does the US sell arms to?

Who does the US sell to? The US sells arms to the majority of countries worldwide. Between 2016-20, according to SIPRI data, the US transferred major conventional weapons to 94 states, as well as to NATO, Syrian rebel groups, and the Libyan General National Council.

Can defense contractors sell to other countries?

This means that items such as aircraft, military aircraft parts, and gas turbine engines can now be sold to foreign nations with a lot less bureaucratic red tape.

Which DoD agency prepares FMS cases for cataloging services Disposal Services and Excess Defense Articles?

DLA prepares FMS cases for cataloging services, disposal services, and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) at the DLA Disposition Services.

Who is responsible for IAC program oversight?

The USD(A&S) established the Office of International Cooperation (IC) to oversee IAC activities. The USD(P) has a supporting role in IC by reviewing international agreements for foreign policy considerations. Figure 13-4 illustrates the relationship of IAC oversight to security assistance oversight.

What element of international acquisition and exportability IA&E examines factors?

The term “International Acquisition and Exportability (IA&E)” refers to DoD efforts in the following four complementary areas: • International Cooperative Programs; • Sales and Transfers; • Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure; and, • Defense Exportability Integration.

What is an example of international armaments cooperation?

International Armaments Cooperation (IAC) refers to a suite of defense security cooperation programs involving technical and defense industrial base cooperation, including “cooperative research, development, test, and evaluation of defense technologies, systems, or equipment; joint production and follow-on support of …

What is the Blue Lantern program?

Under the Blue Lantern program, PM Bureau and U.S. Embassy personnel worldwide conduct pre-license, post-license/pre-shipment, and post-shipment checks to verify the bona fides of foreign consignees and end-users, and confirm the legitimacy of proposed transactions.

Does US import military equipment?

The TIV is based on the known unit production costs of a core set of weapons and is intended to represent the transfer of military resources rather than the financial value of the transfer. … In 2020, the U.S. arms imports from Australia totaled to about 30 million constant (1990) U.S. dollars.

Why do we sell arms to other countries?

They argue that arms sales are a tool for strengthening the military capability of allies and strategic partners to increase regional stability abroad. … Between 2002 and 2019, for example, we find that American allies purchased $135 billion of weapons compared to $75 billion for non‐​allies.

What are three examples of misuse of the GPC?

  • Purchasing office supplies for home use.
  • failing to certify “purchase card certification statements” on time.
  • violating a specific-use policy.

What is a pseudo FMS case?

For those unfamiliar, pseudo FMS cases are financed through the DOD and various legal authorities to be spent on the acquisition of defense materiel or services that will subsequently be turned over to another nation. The pseudo-case method tracks the expenditure of these appropriated funds.

What is the first step to follow when a cardholder?

what is the first step to follow when a cardholder becomes aware of a lost or stolen card or check? Determine when and where the card/checks were last used. The secretary defense authorize an increase in the micro purchase threshold to $20,000 to support declared contingency operations in Afghanistan.

Does the US buy foreign military equipment?

FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) Under FMS, the United States government manages approximately $55 billion per year in new sales of defense equipment to foreign allies and partners.

Who is the biggest illegal arms dealer in the world?

Sarkis SoghanalianBornՍարգիս ՍողանալեանFebruary 6, 1929 İskenderun, State of SyriaDiedOctober 5, 2011 (aged 82) Hialeah, Florida, U.S.Known forConvictions for traffic arms, conspiracy of shipping unauthorized weapons

Who does Russia supply weapons to?

Despite its global presence, Russia exports a majority of its arms to five states (listed in alphabetical order): Algeria, China, Egypt, India, and Vietnam. India has been the largest importer of Russian arms since 2016.