Section text and notes
22 U.S.C. 2551As declared by the Congress in the Arms Control and Disarmament Act [ et seq.], an ultimate goal of the United States continues to be a world which is free from the scourge of war and the dangers and burdens of armaments; in which the use of force has been subordinated to the rule of law; and in which international adjustments to a changing world are achieved peacefully. In furtherance of that goal, it remains the policy of the United States to encourage regional arms control and disarmament agreements and to discourage arms races.
The Congress recognizes, however, that the United States and other free and independent countries continue to have valid requirements for effective and mutually beneficial defense relationships in order to maintain and foster the environment of international peace and security essential to social, economic, and political progress. Because of the growing cost and complexity of defense equipment, it is increasingly difficult and uneconomic for any country, particularly a developing country, to fill all of its legitimate defense requirements from its own design and production base. The need for international defense cooperation among the United States and those friendly countries to which it is allied by mutual defense treaties is especially important, since the effectiveness of their armed forces to act in concert to deter or defeat aggression is directly related to the operational compatibility of their defense equipment.
Accordingly, it remains the policy of the United States to facilitate the common defense by entering into international arrangements with friendly countries which further the objective of applying agreed resources of each country to programs and projects of cooperative exchange of data, research, development, production, procurement, and logistics support to achieve specific national defense requirements and objectives of mutual concern. To this end, this chapter authorizes sales by the United States Government to friendly countries having sufficient wealth to maintain and equip their own military forces at adequate strength, or to assume progressively larger shares of the costs thereof, without undue burden to their economies, in accordance with the restraints and control measures specified herein and in furtherance of the security objectives of the United States and of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
22 U.S.C. 2151It is the sense of the Congress that all such sales be approved only when they are consistent with the foreign policy interests of the United States, the purposes of the foreign assistance program of the United States as embodied in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended [ et seq.], the extent and character of the military requirement, and the economic and financial capability of the recipient country, with particular regard being given, where appropriate, to proper balance among such sales, grant military assistance, and economic assistance as well as to the impact of the sales on programs of social and economic development and on existing or incipient arms races.
It shall be the policy of the United States to exert leadership in the world community to bring about arrangements for reducing the international trade in implements of war and to lessen the danger of outbreak of regional conflict and the burdens of armaments. United States programs for or procedures governing the export, sale, and grant of defense articles and defense services to foreign countries and international organizations shall be administered in a manner which will carry out this policy.
It is the sense of the Congress that the President should seek to initiate multilateral discussions for the purpose of reaching agreements among the principal arms suppliers and arms purchasers and other countries with respect to the control of the international trade in armaments. It is further the sense of Congress that the President should work actively with all nations to check and control the international sale and distribution of conventional weapons of death and destruction and to encourage regional arms control arrangements. In furtherance of this policy, the President should undertake a concerted effort to convene an international conference of major arms-supplying and arms-purchasing nations which shall consider measures to limit conventional arms transfers in the interest of international peace and stability.
It is the sense of the Congress that the aggregate value of defense articles and defense services—
section 2762 of this title(1) which are sold under section 2761 or ; or
section 2778 of this title(2) which are licensed or approved for export under to, for the use, or for benefit of the armed forces, police, intelligence, or other internal security forces of a foreign country or international organization under a commercial sales contract;
in any fiscal year should not exceed current levels.
It is the sense of the Congress that the President maintain adherence to a policy of restraint in conventional arms transfers and that, in implementing this policy worldwide, a balanced approach should be taken and full regard given to the security interests of the United States in all regions of the world and that particular attention should be paid to controlling the flow of conventional arms to the nations of the developing world. To this end, the President is encouraged to continue discussions with other arms suppliers in order to restrain the flow of conventional arms to less developed countries.
Pub. L. 90–62982 Stat. 1321 Pub. L. 91–672, § 484 Stat. 2053 Pub. L. 93–189, § 25(1)87 Stat. 729 Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 20290 Stat. 734 Pub. L. 95–38492 Stat. 739 Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, § 734(a)(10)95 Stat. 1560 (, ch. 1, § 1, , ; , , ; , , ; , formerly § 202(a), , , renumbered and amended , §§ 15(a), 29(c)(1)(A), , , 747; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 87–29775 Stat. 631 section 2551 of this titleThe Arms Control and Disarmament Act, referred to in text, is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 2551 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under , and Tables.
Pub. L. 90–62982 Stat. 1321 This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note below and Tables.
Pub. L. 87–19575 Stat. 424 section 2151 of this titleThe Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, referred to in text, is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 2151 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 97–1131981— struck out paragraph which provided that it was the sense of Congress that sales and guaranties under sections 2761, 2762, 2763, and 2764 of this title not be approved where they would have had the effect of arming military dictators who were denying the growth of fundamental rights or social progress to their own people but allowing the President to waive this limitation when he determined it would be important to the security of the United States, and promptly so reported to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate.
Pub. L. 95–384, § 15(a)1978—, inserted paragraph relating to adherence to a policy of restraint in conventional arms transfer.
Pub. L. 94–3291976— substituted in last paragraph provision relating to a new statement of policy whereby the United States shall exert leadership in the reduction of international trade in arms, and in that regard, the President to initiate discussions and actively work with other nations with a view towards control of international trade in arms, for provisions relating to a reduction in the role of the United States in furnishing of defense articles and defense services to foreign countries and international organizations by decreasing sales, credit sales and guarantees of such articles and services.
Pub. L. 93–1891973— inserted last paragraph relating to a reduction by the United States in the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to foreign countries.
Pub. L. 91–6721971— substituted “denying the growth of fundamental rights or social progress” for “denying social progress” in last par.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title X, § 1085(a)139 Stat. 1054
section 2778 of this titlesection 2778 of this title“This section [amending and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025’.”
References to Foreign Military Sales Act Deemed Reference to Arms Export Control Act
Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 201(b)90 Stat. 734
References to Present Instead of Past Provisions; Specific Application of Other Provisions to This Chapter
Pub. L. 90–62982 Stat. 1327
Effective Date
Pub. L. 90–62982 Stat. 1326
Short Title of 2016 Amendment
Pub. L. 114–123, § 1130 Stat. 117
Short Title of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–266, § 1124 Stat. 2797
Pub. L. 111–266, title I, § 101124 Stat. 2797
Short Title of 1999 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. B, § 1001]113 Stat. 1536
Short Title of 1998 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–194, § 1112 Stat. 627
Short Title of 1991 Amendment
Pub. L. 102–228, § 1105 Stat. 1691
Short Title
Pub. L. 90–629, § 182 Stat. 1320 Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 201(a)90 Stat. 734
Advancements in Defense Cooperation Between the United States and India
Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XII, § 1258131 Stat. 1683
In General .—
section 1292 of Pub. L. 114–328[Amended , set out as a note below.]
Interagency Definition of India as Major Defense Partner .—
Responsibility for Enhanced Cooperation.—
Designation of responsible individual .—
Additional duties .—
section 1292 of Pub. L. 114–328[Amended , set out as a note below.]
Briefings .—
Appropriate committees of congress defined .—
Enhancing Defense and Security Cooperation With India
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, § 1292130 Stat. 2559 Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XII, § 1258(a)131 Stat. 1683 Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XII, § 1266132 Stat. 2064
Actions.—
In general .—
Report.—
In general .—
Contents .—
Report form .—
Bilateral Coordination .—
Assessment Required.—
In general .—
Use of assessment .—
section 1292(a)(2) of Pub. L. 114–328Pub. L. 116–92section 111 of this title[For termination, effective , of reporting requirements in , set out above, see section 1702(a), (b), of , set out as a Termination of Reporting Requirements note under .]
Registration and End-Use Monitoring of Defense Articles and Defense Services Transferred to Afghanistan and Pakistan
Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XII, § 1225123 Stat. 2523
Program Required.—
In general .—
Prohibition .—
Registration and End-use Monitoring Requirements .—
Review; Exemption.—
Review .—
Exemption .—
Definitions .—
Defense article .—
Defense service .—
Small arm .—
Specified congressional committees .—
Effective Date.—
In general .—
Exception .—
Tracking and Monitoring of Defense Articles Provided to the Government of Iraq and Other Individuals and Groups in Iraq
Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XII, § 1228122 Stat. 377
Export and Transfer Control Policy .—
Requirement to Implement Control System .—
Registration and Monitoring System .—
Review; Exemption.—
Review .—
Exemption .—
Definitions .—
Defense article .—
Small arms .—
Specified congressional committees .—
Effective Date.—
In general .—
Exception .—
Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
Pub. L. 109–472, § 12120 Stat. 3558
Statement of Policy .—
Determination Relating to Sanctions.—
In general .—
Foreign government described .—
Sanctions Described .—
Waiver .—
Definitions .—
Defense article .—
Defense service .—
Design and construction services .—
Foreign government .—
Manpads .—
Pub. L. 108–458, title IV, § 4026118 Stat. 3724
United States Policy on Nonproliferation and Export Control.—
To limit availability and transfer of manpads .—
To limit the proliferation of manpads .—
To achieve destruction of manpads .—
Reporting and briefing requirement.—
President’s report .—
Annual briefings .—
Airworthiness Certification of Missile Defense Systems for Commercial Aircraft.— FAA
In general .—
Certification acceptance .—
Expeditious certification .—
Reports .—
Programs to Reduce MANPADS.—
In general .—
Reporting and briefing requirements .—
Funding .—
Vulnerability Assessments Report.— MANPADS
In general .—
Matters to be addressed .—
Format .—
Definitions .—
Appropriate congressional committees .—
MANPADS.—
section 4026 of Pub. L. 108–458section 301 of title 3[Functions of President under subsecs. (a)(4)(A), (c)(2) of , set out above, assigned to Secretary of State by section 1 of Memorandum of President of the United States, , 70 F.R. 48633, set out as a note under , The President.]
Bilateral Exchanges and Trade in Defense Articles and Defense Services Between the United States and the United Kingdom and Australia
Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title XII, § 1225118 Stat. 2091
Policy .—
Requirement .—
Regulations .—
Eligibility of Panama Under Arms Export Control Act
Pub. L. 104–164, title I, § 154110 Stat. 1440
Reports on Counterproliferation Activities and Programs
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XV, § 1503108 Stat. 2916 Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XIII, § 1309(d)110 Stat. 2710 Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title XV, § 1504(c)113 Stat. 808 Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title XII, § 1208(b)116 Stat. 2668 Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XII, § 1256(d)122 Stat. 404
Biennial Report Required .—
Content of Report .—
Forms of Report .—
Review Committee Charter Defined .—
Termination of Requirement .—
Arab League Boycott of Israel
Pub. L. 103–236, title V, § 564108 Stat. 484 Pub. L. 103–415, § 1l108 Stat. 4301
Prohibition .—
Waiver.—
year waiver 1-.—
Extension of waiver .—
Termination of waiver .—
Definitions .—
Effective Date .—
section 564 of Public Law 103–236[Memorandum of President of the United States, , 62 F.R. 24797, delegated to Secretary of State functions of President under , set out above.]
section 564 of Pub. L. 103–236[Certifications and determinations relating to suspension of application by President under , set out above, were contained in the following:
[Determination of President of the United States, No. 96–23, , 61 F.R. 26029.
[Determination of President of the United States, No. 95–20, , 60 F.R. 22245.]
Counterproliferation Policy and Programs of United States
Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XVI107 Stat. 1843 Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XV108 Stat. 2914 Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, § 1504(b)110 Stat. 513 Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XIII, § 1309(a)110 Stat. 2710 Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title XV, § 1504(a)113 Stat. 808 Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title XII, § 1208(a)116 Stat. 2668 Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, § 1056(f)119 Stat. 3440 Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XII, § 1256(a)122 Stat. 403 Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(c)(1)126 Stat. 1949 Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1051(f)131 Stat. 1563
STUDIES RELATING TO UNITED STATES COUNTERPROLIFERATION POLICY.
Authorization To Conduct Studies .—
Counterproliferation Studies .—
Designation of Coordinator .—
JOINT COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW OF COUNTERPROLIFERATION PROGRAMS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Establishment .—
Purposes of the Committee .—
Duties .—
Access to Information .—
Recommendations .—
Termination of Committee .—
DEFINITIONS.
[For abolition, transfer of functions, and treatment of references to United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, see section 6511 et seq. of this title.]
Restriction on Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Pub. L. 102–229, title I, § 104105 Stat. 1707
Annual Report on Proliferation of Missiles and Essential Components of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons
Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, § 1097105 Stat. 1489 Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV110 Stat. 507 Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1067(9)113 Stat. 774 Pub. L. 107–228, div. B, title XIII, § 1308(g)(1)(A)116 Stat. 1441 , , , as amended by , §§ 1502(c)(3), 1504(d), , , 514; , , , required the President to submit to Congress annual reports on transfers by any country of weapons, technology, or materials that can be used to deliver, manufacture, or weaponize nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons to any country (other than certain specified countries) seeking to acquire such weapons, technology, or materials, and specified time, coverage, contents and classification of such reports, prior to repeal by , , .
Conventional Arms Transfers
Pub. L. 99–83, title I, § 12999 Stat. 206 , , , directed President, at the earliest possible date, in consultation with United States allies, to initiate discussions with the Soviet Union and France aimed at beginning multilateral negotiations to limit and control the transfer of conventional arms to less developed countries, and, within one year after , submit to Speaker of House of Representatives and chairman of Committee on Foreign Relations of Senate a report which specifies steps being taken to fulfill such requirements and which examines and analyzes, among specified matters, United States policies concerning the export of conventional arms, especially sophisticated weapons, and possible approaches to developing multilateral limitations on conventional arms sales.
Termination of Nonrecurring Activities Under Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and This Chapter and Removal From Law
Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, § 734(c)95 Stat. 1561
Report to Congress by President on Multilateral Discussions Concerning Arms Transfer Policy
Pub. L. 95–384, § 15(b)92 Stat. 740 section 15(a) of Pub. L. 95–384Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, § 734(a)(12)95 Stat. 1560 , , , directed President, not later than , to transmit to Congress a detailed report assessing results and commenting on implications of multilateral discussion referred to in paragraph added to this section by , relating to adherence to a policy of restraint in conventional arms transfer, prior to repeal by , , .
Report by President on Review of Arms Sales Controls on Non-Lethal Items
Pub. L. 95–384, § 2592 Stat. 746 Pub. L. 95–92, § 2791 Stat. 626 Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, § 734(a)(12)95 Stat. 1560 , , , directed President, within 120 days after , to report in writing to Speaker of House of Representatives and chairman of Committee on Foreign Relations of Senate the results of the review conducted pursuant to , , , set out below, prior to repeal by , , .
Report by President on Impact of Foreign Arms Sales and Transfers to Foreign Governments on Defense Readiness and National Security of United States
Pub. L. 95–92, § 2391 Stat. 624 Pub. L. 95–384, § 29(c)(2)(B)92 Stat. 747 , , , set forth provisions respecting Presidential report on impact of United States foreign arms sales and transfers on defense readiness and national security, prior to repeal by , , .
Study by President of National Security and Military Implications of International Transfers of Technology; Scope of Study; Utilization of Executive Departments and Agencies
Pub. L. 95–92, § 2491 Stat. 624 Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, § 734(a)(13)95 Stat. 1560 , , , as amended by , , , directed President to conduct a comprehensive study of policies and practices of United States Government with respect to national security and military implications of international transfers of technology in order to determine whether such policies and practices should be changed, with President to utilize resources and expertise of Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, National Science Foundation, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and such other entities within the Executive branch as he deemed necessary.
Statement of Policy Regarding United States Arms Sales to Israel
Pub. L. 95–92, § 2691 Stat. 625
Review by President of Categories and Arms Sales Controls on Lethal and Non-Lethal Items
Pub. L. 95–92, § 2791 Stat. 626 , , , directed President to undertake a review of all regulations relating to arms control for the purpose of defining and categorizing lethal and non-lethal products and establishing the appropriate level of control for each category.
Study of United States Arms Sales Policies and Practices by President; Report to Congress
Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 202(b)90 Stat. 735 Pub. L. 95–384, § 29(c)(1)(A)92 Stat. 747 , , , set forth provisions respecting study and report to Congress of United States arms sales policies and practices, prior to repeal by , , .
Presidential Report Regarding Sales of Excess Defense Articles to Foreign Governments and International Organizations
Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 21790 Stat. 747 Pub. L. 95–384, § 29(c)(1)(B)92 Stat. 747 , , , set forth provisions respecting report by the President of all sales under this chapter of excess defense articles to foreign governments and international organizations, prior to repeal by , , .
Study by Secretaries of State and Defense on Consequences of Enactment of Arms Export Control Provisions
Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 21890 Stat. 748 Pub. L. 94–329Pub. L. 95–384, § 29(c)(1)(C)92 Stat. 747 , , , set forth provisions respecting study by the Secretaries of State and Defense on consequences of enactment of arms export control provisions by title II of , prior to repeal by , , .
Total Number of Credits To Be Extended Between , and
Pub. L. 94–329, title V, § 506(b)90 Stat. 764 , , , provided that the total number of credits extended pursuant to this chapter, between , and , not exceed an amount equal to one-fourth of the total amount of credits extended and guaranteed for fiscal year 1976.
Additional Military and Civilian Personnel for Department of Defense
Pub. L. 94–329, title VI, § 605(a)90 Stat. 768
Sales to the Middle East; Requests for Additional Appropriations
Pub. L. 91–672, § 584 Stat. 2053 , , , provided that it was the sense of Congress that (1) the President should press forward with efforts to negotiate with the Soviet Union and other powers a limitation on arms shipments to the Middle East, (2) the President should be supported in the position that arms will be made available and credits provided to Israel and other friendly states to meet threats to the security and independence of such states, and (3) the President could submit to the Congress requests for appropriate supplementary appropriations.
Review of Military Aid Programs and Efforts for Regulation of Conventional Arms Trade
Pub. L. 91–672, § 684 Stat. 2053
Executive Documents
Executive Order No. 11501
Ex. Ord. No. 11501, , 34 F.R. 20169, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11685, , 37 F.R. 20155, which related to the administration of foreign military sales, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11958, , 42 F.R. 4311, formerly set out below.
Executive Order No. 11958
Ex. Ord. No. 11958, , 42 F.R. 4311, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12118, , 44 F.R. 7939; Ex. Ord. No. 12163, , 44 F.R. 56673; Ex. Ord. No. 12210, , 45 F.R. 26313; Ex. Ord. No. 12321, , 46 F.R. 46109; Ex. Ord. No. 12365, , 47 F.R. 22933; Ex. Ord. No. 12423, , 48 F.R. 24025; Ex. Ord. No. 12560, , 51 F.R. 19159; Ex. Ord. No. 12680, , 54 F.R. 28995; Ex. Ord. No. 12738, § 7, , 55 F.R. 52035; Ex. Ord. No. 13030, § 2, , 61 F.R. 66187; Ex. Ord. No. 13091, § 1, , 63 F.R. 36153; Ex. Ord. No. 13118, § 10(8), , 64 F.R. 16598; Ex. Ord. No. 13284, § 13, , 68 F.R. 4076, which related to the administration of arms export controls, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13637, § 4, , 78 F.R. 16131, set out below.
Ex. Ord. No. 13637. Administration of Reformed Export Controls
Ex. Ord. No. 13637, , 78 F.R. 16129, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 14383, § 4(v), , 91 F.R. 6498, provided:
22 U.S.C. 2751section 301 of title 3By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Arms Export Control Act, as amended ( et seq.) (the “Act”), and , United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
SectionDelegation of Functions 1. . The following functions conferred upon the President by the Act, and related laws, are delegated as follows:
22 U.S.C. 275322 U.S.C. 2753(a)(1)22 U.S.C. 2753(a)22 U.S.C. 2753(a)(1)(a) Those under section 3 of the Act (), with the exception of subsections (a)(1), (b), (c)(3), (c)(4), and (f) (, (b), (c)(3), (c)(4), and (f)), to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State, in the implementation of the delegated functions under sections 3(a) and (d) of the Act ( and (d)), is authorized to find, in the case of a proposed transfer of a defense article or related training or other defense service by a foreign country or international organization not otherwise eligible under section 3(a)(1) of the Act (), whether the proposed transfer will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace.
22 U.S.C. 2755(b) Those under section 5 () to the Secretary of State.
22 U.S.C. 276122 U.S.C. 2761(d)(c) Those under section 21 of the Act (), with the exception of the last sentence of subsection (d) and all of subsection (i) ( and (i)), to the Secretary of Defense.
22 U.S.C. 2762(a)(d) Those under sections 22(a), 29, 30, and 30A of the Act (, 2769, 2770, and 2770a) to the Secretary of Defense.
22 U.S.C. 2763Public Law 112–7422 U.S.C. 2763(a)(e) Those under section 23 of the Act (), and under section 7069 of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2012 (, Division I) and any subsequently enacted provision of law that is the same or substantially the same, to the Secretary of Defense to be exercised in consultation with the Secretary of State and, other than the last sentence of section 23(a) (), in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, except that the President shall determine any rate of interest to be charged that is less than the market rate of interest.
22 U.S.C. 276422 U.S.C. 276422 U.S.C. 2767(f) Those under sections 24 and 27 of the Act ( and 2767) to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury in implementing the delegated functions under section 24 () and with the Secretary of State in implementing the delegated functions under section 27 ().
22 U.S.C. 2765(g) Those under section 25 of the Act () to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of Defense shall assist the Secretary of State in the preparation of materials for presentation to the Congress under that section.
22 U.S.C. 2774(h) Those under section 34 of the Act () to the Secretary of State. To the extent the standards and criteria for credit and guaranty transactions are based upon national security or financial policies, the Secretary of State shall obtain the prior concurrence of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively.
22 U.S.C. 2775(a)(i) Those under section 35(a) of the Act () to the Secretary of State.
22 U.S.C. 2776(a)22 U.S.C. 2776(a)(5)(j) Those under sections 36(a) [of the] Act () to the Secretary of War. The Secretary of War, in the implementation of the delegated functions under sections [sic] 36(a), shall consult with the Secretary of State. With respect to those functions under sections [sic] 36(a)(5) and (6) ( and (6)), the Secretary of War shall also consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1)(k) Those under section 36(b)(1), (c) and (d) of the Act (, (c), and (d)) to the Secretary of State. To ensure coordination, the Secretary of State shall notify the Secretary of War of the intent to formally notify the Congress of proposed arms transfers.
22 U.S.C. 2776(f)(1)(l) Those under section 36(f)(1) of the Act () to the Secretary of Defense.
22 U.S.C. 2776(f)(2)(m) Those under sections 36(f)(2) and (f)(3) of the Act ( and (f)(3)) to the Secretary of State.
22 U.S.C. 2778(n) Those under section 38 of the Act () to:
22 U.S.C. 2778(i) the Secretary of State, except as otherwise provided in this subsection. Designations, including changes in designations, by the Secretary of State of items or categories of items that shall be considered as defense articles and defense services subject to export control under section 38 () shall have the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense. The authority to undertake activities to ensure compliance with established export conditions may be redelegated to the Secretary of Defense, or to the head of another executive department or agency as appropriate, who shall exercise such functions in consultation with the Secretary of State;
22 U.S.C. 2778(ii) the Attorney General, to the extent they relate to the control of the permanent import of defense articles and defense services. In carrying out such functions, the Attorney General shall be guided by the views of the Secretary of State on matters affecting world peace, and the external security and foreign policy of the United States. Designations, including changes in designations, by the Attorney General of items or categories of items that shall be considered as defense articles and defense services subject to permanent import control under section 38 of the Act () shall be made with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense and with notice to the Secretary of Commerce; and
(iii) the Department of State for the registration and licensing of those persons who engage in the business of brokering activities with respect to defense articles or defense services controlled either for purposes of export by the Department of State or for purposes of permanent import by the Department of Justice.
22 U.S.C. 2779(b)22 U.S.C. 2762(o) Those under section 39(b) of the Act () to the Secretary of State. In carrying out such functions, the Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary of Defense as may be necessary to avoid interference in the application of Department of Defense regulations to sales made under section 22 of the Act ().
Public Law 104–16422 U.S.C. 2785(p) Those under the portion of section 40A of the Act added by (), to the Secretary of State insofar as they relate to commercial exports licensed under the Act, and to the Secretary of Defense insofar as they relate to defense articles and defense services sold, leased, or transferred under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Public Law 104–13222 U.S.C. 2781(q) Those under the portion of section 40A of the Act added by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 () (), to the Secretary of State.
22 U.S.C. 2791(c)22 U.S.C. 2791(c)(r) Those under sections 42(c) and (f) of the Act ( and (f)) to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce on any determination considered under the authority of section 42(c) of the Act ().
22 U.S.C. 2795a(b)(s) Those under section 52(b) of the Act () to the Secretary of Defense.
22 U.S.C. 2796(t) Those under sections 61 and 62(a) of the Act ( and 2796a(a)) to the Secretary of Defense.
12 U.S.C. 635(b)(6)(u) Those under section 2(b)(6) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, as amended () to the Secretary of State.
SecCoordination. 2. . (a) In addition to the specific provisions of section 1 of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, in carrying out the functions delegated to them under this order, shall consult with each other and with the heads of other executive departments and agencies on matters pertaining to their responsibilities.
22 U.S.C. 2752(b)(b) Under the direction of the President and in accordance with section 2(b) of the Act (), the Secretary of State, taking into account other United States activities abroad, shall be responsible for the continuous supervision and general direction of sales and exports under the Act, including the negotiation, conclusion, and termination of international agreements, and determining whether there shall be a sale to a country and the amount thereof, and whether there shall be delivery or other performance under such sale or export, to the end that sales and exports are integrated with other United States activities and the foreign policy of the United States is best served thereby.
SecAllocation of Funds. 3. . Funds appropriated to the President for carrying out the Act shall be deemed to be allocated to the Secretary of Defense without any further action of the President.
SecRevocation. 4. . Executive Order 11958 of , as amended, is revoked; except that, to the extent consistent with this order, all determinations, authorizations, regulations, rulings, certificates, orders, directives, contracts, agreements, and other actions made, issued, taken, or entered into under the provisions of Executive Order 11958, as amended, and not revoked, superseded, or otherwise made inapplicable, shall continue in full force and effect until amended, modified, or terminated by appropriate authority.
SecDelegation of Functions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Actsection 1701 of Title 50. 5. . [Amended Ex. Ord. No. 13222, listed in a table under , War and National Defense.]
SecGeneral Provisions. 6. . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Ex. Ord. No. 14268. Reforming Foreign Defense Sales To Improve Speed and Accountability
Ex. Ord. No. 14268, , 90 F.R. 15631, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
SectionPurpose 1. . To serve the interests of the American people, the United States must maintain the world’s strongest and most technologically advanced military through a dynamic defense industrial base, coupled with a robust network of capable partners and allies. A rapid and transparent foreign defense sales system that enables effective defense cooperation between the United States and our chosen partners is foundational to these objectives. Reforming this system would simultaneously strengthen the security capabilities of our allies and invigorate our own defense industrial base. This mutually reinforcing approach would enhance United States warfighting capabilities by fostering healthy American supply chains, domestic production levels, and technological development.
Sec.Policy 2. . It is the policy of my Administration to:
(a) Improve accountability and transparency throughout the foreign defense sales system to ensure predictable and reliable delivery of American products to foreign partners in support of United States foreign policy objectives.
(b) Consolidate parallel decision-making when determining which military capabilities the United States will choose to provide, and to which countries.
(c) Reduce rules and regulations involved in the development, execution, and monitoring of foreign defense sales and of transfer cases to ensure alignment with United States foreign policy objectives.
(d) Increase government-industry collaboration to achieve cost and schedule efficiencies in the execution of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
(e) Advance United States competitiveness abroad, revitalize the defense industrial base, and lower unit costs for the United States and our allies and partners by integrating exportability features in the design phase, improving financing options for partners, and increasing contract flexibility overall.
Sec.Phased Implementation 3. . (a) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall promptly:
(i) Implement National Security Presidential Memorandum 10 of (United States Conventional Arms Transfer Policy), or any successor policy directive.
(ii) Reevaluate restrictions imposed by the Missile Technology Control Regime on Category I items and consider supplying certain partners with specific Category I items, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce.
22 U.S.C. 2751(iii) Submit a joint letter to the Congress proposing an update to statutory congressional certification (also known as congressional notification) thresholds of proposed sales under the FMS and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs in the Arms Export Control Act ( et seq.). The Secretary of State shall also work with the Congress to review congressional notification processes to ensure the timely adjudication of notified FMS and DCS cases.
(b) Within 60 days of the date of this order []:
(i) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop a list of priority partners for conventional arms transfers and issue updated guidance to Chiefs of the United States Diplomatic Missions regarding this list.
(ii) The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall:
(A) develop a list of priority end-items for potential transfer to priority partners identified by the Secretary of State in the list required by this subsection;
(B) ensure the transfer of priority end-items to priority partners would not cause significant harm to United States force readiness; and
(C) ensure the transfer of priority end-items to priority partners would advance my Administration’s goal of strengthening allied burden-sharing, both by sharing the cost of end-item production and by increasing our allies’ capacity to meet capability targets independently, without sustained support from the United States.
(c)(i) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall review, update, and reissue the lists of priority partners and military end-items on an annual basis.
(ii) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall review and update the list of defense items that can only be purchased through the FMS process (the FMS-Only List) and the United States Munitions List, 22 C.F.R. part 121, to focus protections solely on our most sensitive and sophisticated technologies, and shall establish clear criteria for including an item on the FMS-Only List.
(d) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a plan to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), to: improve the transparency of United States defense sales to foreign partners by developing metrics for accountability; secure exportability as a requirement in the early stages of the acquisition process; and consolidate technology security and foreign disclosure approvals.
(e) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, with the assistance of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a plan to the APNSA to develop a single electronic system to track all DCS export license requests and ongoing FMS efforts throughout the case life-cycle.
Sec.Definitions 4. . For purposes of this order:
(a) “Parallel decision-making” refers to the granting of simultaneous certifications and approvals during the FMS process, as opposed to sequential decision-making where agencies wait for other agencies to make decisions before taking action.
(b) “Exportability” means the process to identify, develop, and integrate technology protection features into United States defense systems early in the acquisition process to protect critical technologies, capabilities, and program information and thus enable export to partners.
(c) “FMS-only” means defense articles that are exclusively available through the FMS process as opposed to the DCS process, as authorized in the Arms Export Control Act and described in the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM), Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Chapter 4.
(d) “End-item” means the final product when assembled and ready for issue or deployment.
(e) “Foreign defense sales system” means the enterprise devoted to the transfer of defense articles, services, and training by the United States Government and United States companies to international partners and organizations.
(f) All other terms related to FMS cases shall have the meanings given to them by the SAMM, DSCA 5105.38M.
Sec.General Provisions 5. . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Ex. Ord. No. 14383. Establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy
Ex. Ord. No. 14383, , 91 F.R. 6497, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
SectionPurpose 1. . American-manufactured military equipment is the best in the world, resulting in American dominance across international defense exports. It is critical that the United States fully use this comparative advantage in arms transfers as both a tool of foreign policy and a tool to expand domestic production and transfer.
To maintain our military dominance and technological superiority, the time has come to establish, implement, and execute an America First Arms Transfer Strategy. As the first strategy of its kind, it will ensure that future arms sales prioritize American interests by using foreign purchases and capital to build American production and capacity. This strategy will advance a technologically superior, ready, and resilient national security industrial enterprise. It will strengthen the United States defense industrial base to ensure it has the capacity to support our military and our allies and partners, especially as we increase burden-sharing.
Sec.Policy 2. . It is the policy of the United States to intentionally use arms transfers as a tool of American foreign policy and to expand strategically relevant industrial production capacity in the United States by:
(a) establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy that provides clear direction and implementation guidance to arms transfer stakeholders; and
(b) streamlining processes across executive departments and agencies (agencies) to strengthen effectiveness and create efficiencies in our defense sales enterprise.
Sec.An America First Arms Transfer Strategy 3. . (a) An America First Arms Transfer Strategy shall accomplish the following objectives:
(i) The United States will use arms sales and transfers to increase production and build production capacity for weapons and platforms the Secretary of War determines to be the most operationally relevant for executing the National Security Strategy (NSS);
(ii) The United States will use foreign purchases and capital to support domestic reindustrialization, expand production capacity, and improve the resilience of the United States defense industrial base. Arms sales and transfers will support Department of War (DoW) efforts to promote innovation and competition by incentivizing new entrants and nontraditional defense companies to contribute to the defense industrial base;
(iii) The United States will use arms sales and transfers to reinforce DoW acquisition and sustainment activities, including by building critical supply chain resilience and avoiding adding to backlogs on priority components and end-items that impact United States or ally and partner readiness;
(iv) Consistent with Executive Order 14268 of (Reforming Foreign Defense Sales to Improve Speed and Accountability) [set out above], the United States will prioritize arms sales and transfers to partners that have invested in their own self-defense and capabilities, have a critical role or geography in United States plans and operations, or contribute to our economic security.
(b) Within 120 days of the date of this order [], the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, a sales catalog of prioritized platforms and systems that the United States shall encourage our allies and partners to acquire. The sales catalog shall be based on criteria identified in the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
(c) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, shall provide recommendations to enhance advocacy efforts encouraging foreign procurement of defense articles produced in America for the purpose of supporting an America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
(d) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall identify Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales opportunities that will support the strategic objectives of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy and the growth of the United States defense industrial base.
(e) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall develop an industry engagement plan and submit it to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, to enable the United States Government to fully coordinate with American stakeholders while executing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
Sec.Eliminating Inefficiencies in American Arms Transfers 4. . In order to fully implement an America First Arms Transfer Strategy and streamline our defense sales process, the United States Government shall undertake the following actions:
(i) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall develop clear criteria for determining which weapons, platforms, or capabilities require Enhanced End Use Monitoring. Additionally, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall establish an End Use Monitoring coordination group, consisting of designees from each respective department, which will meet to improve the effectiveness and coordination of their respective department’s end-use monitoring activities. These actions will improve information sharing and efficiencies to ensure allies and partners are complying with United States requirements and to reduce risk of diversion.
(ii) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of War, shall review Third-Party Transfer (TPT) processes and submit a plan to the President through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to reduce and potentially realign the onerous TPT process, with due consideration to technology security risks.
(iii) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall develop a process to provide advanced notice, as appropriate, to allies and partners of upcoming contracting actions and associated deadlines for FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance implementation.
(iv) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall ensure effective coordination when assessing the impacts of Direct Commercial Sales to the defense industrial base.
(v) [Amended Ex. Ord. No. 13637, set out above.]
Sec.Enhancing Accountability and Transparency 5. . (a) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall establish the Promoting American Military Sales Task Force (Task Force) to coordinate efforts to implement the America First Arms Transfer Strategy and enhance accountability and transparency throughout the arms transfer enterprise. The Task Force shall:
(i) be chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs or his designee, and be composed of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade;
(ii) develop a charter to clearly define the specific objectives and structure of the Task Force;
(iii) include as ex officio members the Service Acquisition Executives of the military departments and representatives of other non-military implementing agencies as appropriate to report on actions taken by the military departments and other implementing agencies to accelerate the contracting of priority FMS cases and ensure exportability of identified priority systems; and
(iv) convene quarterly, or as required, to review progress implementing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy, including whether targeted defense sales align with the Strategy’s objectives.
(b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, and to further the reforms directed in Executive Order 14268, and to improve transparency for United States industry and partners and allies, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall begin to publish aggregate quarterly performance metrics on FMS case development and execution, and on the adjudication of Commerce and State export licenses.
Sec.General Provisions 6. . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise effect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War.