Defense industry associations also are providing advice. We are in the process of developing initial program guidelines. We intend that the program will be available to support exports through either the Department of State munitions license process or the foreign military sales process. My view is that this program should provide a relatively simple loan guarantee function, a tool for exporters. In summary, we face demanding challenges.
Challenges create opportunities.
I have concluded, as I know many of you have, that in this new environment we must use new and creative approaches. We must engage these allies at the outset of our programs, early in the concept definition phase. Then we must find an industrial role for them in the design and development of the equipment. If we wait until we have finished development, we will be just another competitor out there. We need partners, not just customers.