Reforming Foreign Defense Sales To Improve Speed and Accountability
Apr 15, 2025
Apr 15, 2025
Summary
Changes the rules for selling American military gear to other countries to make the process quicker, clearer, and more efficient for our partners.
What problem does this solve?
Selling military equipment to allies is often slow and complicated, which can hurt our relationships and our own defense industry. This order speeds up the sales process and makes it more accountable to strengthen both our allies and our defense companies.
Who does this affect?
- U.S. defense companies
- Foreign allied governments
- U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State
What does this order do?
Creates a priority list for arms sales
Requires the government to create and annually update a list of priority partner countries and a list of priority military items to speed up sales to them.
Asks congress to raise sales notification limits
Directs the Secretary of State to propose an update to Congress that would raise the dollar amount of a sale that requires congressional notification.
Creates a single tracking system
Orders the development of a single electronic system to track all foreign military sales and commercial export license requests from start to finish.
Reviews restrictions on missile technology
Requires a reevaluation of restrictions on selling certain advanced missile technologies to some partners.
Streamlines the approval process
Aims to combine different decision-making steps so that approvals for sales can happen at the same time, rather than one after another.
Updates lists of controlled technologies
Requires a review of the lists of sensitive technologies that can only be sold through the government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process to ensure protections are focused on the most advanced items.
What is the real world impact?
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Strengthens allied nations' military capabilities
Helps friendly countries get the American military equipment they need more quickly, allowing them to better defend themselves and share security burdens with the U.S.
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Boosts the American defense industry
Increases sales for U.S. companies that make military products by making the export process more efficient. This supports American jobs and keeps the defense industrial base strong.
When does this start?
This order takes effect immediately and sets several deadlines for government agencies to complete specific tasks within the next 120 days.
Priority partner and equipment lists
Within 60 days of April 9, 2025, the Secretaries of State and Defense must develop lists of priority partners and military equipment for faster sales.
Plan for transparency and efficiency
Within 90 days of April 9, 2025, a plan must be submitted to the President to improve transparency and streamline the approval process for defense sales.
Single electronic tracking system plan
Within 120 days of April 9, 2025, a plan must be submitted to develop a single electronic system for tracking all foreign defense sales.
Annual review of priority lists
The lists of priority partners and military equipment must be reviewed and updated every year.