22 U.S.C. § 2761 (FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE)
§ 2761. Sales from stocks
(a) Eligible countries or international organizations; basis of payment; valuation of certain defense articles
(1) The President may sell defense articles and defense services from the stocks of the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard to any eligible country or international organization if such country or international organization agrees to pay in United States dollars—
(A) in the case of a defense article not intended to be replaced at the time such agreement is entered into, not less than the actual value thereof;
(B) in the case of a defense article intended to be replaced at the time such agreement is entered into, the estimated cost of replacement of such article, including the contract or production costs less any depreciation in the value of such article; or
(C) in the case of the sale of a defense service, the full cost to the United States Government of furnishing such service, except that in the case of training sold to a purchaser who is concurrently receiving assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.] or to any high-income foreign country (as described in that chapter), only those additional costs that are incurred by the United States Government in furnishing such assistance.
(2) For purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), the actual value of a naval vessel of 3,000 tons or less and 20 years or more of age shall be considered to be not less than the greater of the scrap value or fair value (including conversion costs) of such vessel, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.
(b) Time of payment
Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, payment shall be made in advance or, if the President determines it to be in the national interest, upon delivery of the defense article or rendering of the defense service.
(c) Personnel performing defense services sold as prohibited from performing combat activities
(1) Personnel performing defense services sold under this chapter may not perform any duties of a combatant nature, including any duties related to training and advising that may engage United States personnel in combat activities, outside the United States in connection with the performance of those defense services.
(2) Within forty-eight hours of the existence of, or a change in status of significant hostilities or terrorist acts or a series of such acts, which may endanger American lives or property, involving a country in which United States personnel are performing defense services pursuant to this chapter or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.], the President shall submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report, in writing, classified if necessary, setting forth—
(A) the identity of such country;
(B) a description of such hostilities or terrorist acts; and
(C) the number of members of the United States Armed Forces and the number of United States civilian personnel that may be endangered by such hostilities or terrorist acts.
(d) Billings; interest after due date, rates of interest and extension of due date
If the President determines it to be in the national interest pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, billings for sales made under letters of offer issued under this section after June 30, 1976, may be dated and issued upon delivery of the defense article or rendering of the defense service and shall be due and payable upon receipt thereof by the purchasing country or international organization. Interest shall be charged on any net amount due and payable which is not paid within sixty days after the date of such billing. The rate of interest charged shall be a rate not less than a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury taking into consideration the current average market yield on outstanding short-term obligations of the United States as of the last day of the month preceding the billing and shall be computed from the date of billing. The President may extend such sixty-day period to one hundred and twenty days if he determines that emergency requirements of the purchaser for acquisition of such defense articles or defense services exceed the ready availability to the purchaser of funds sufficient to pay the United States in full for them within such sixty-day period and submits that determination to the Congress together with a special emergency request for the authorization and appropriation of additional funds to finance such purchases under this chapter.
(e) Charges; reduction or waiver
(1) After September 30, 1976, letters of offer for the sale of defense articles or for the sale of defense services that are issued pursuant to this section or pursuant to section 2762 of this title shall include appropriate charges for—
(A) administrative services, calculated on an average percentage basis to recover the full estimated costs (excluding a pro rata share of fixed base operation costs) of administration of sales made under this chapter to all purchasers of such articles and services as specified in section 2792(b) of this title and section 2792(c) of this title;
(B) a proportionate amount of any nonrecurring costs of research, development, and production of major defense equipment (except for equipment wholly paid for either from funds transferred under section 503(a)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2311(a)(3)] or from funds made available on a nonrepayable basis under section 2763 of this title); and
(C) the recovery of ordinary inventory losses associated with the sale from stock of defense articles that are being stored at the expense of the purchaser of such articles.
(2)
(A) The President may reduce or waive the charge or charges which would otherwise be considered appropriate under paragraph (1)(B) for particular sales that would, if made, significantly advance United States Government interests in North Atlantic Treaty Organization standardization, standardization with the Armed Forces of Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, or New Zealand in furtherance of the mutual defense treaties between the United States and those countries, or foreign procurement in the United States under coproduction arrangements.
(B) The President may waive the charge or charges which would otherwise be considered appropriate under paragraph (1)(B) for a particular sale if the President determines that—
(i) imposition of the charge or charges likely would result in the loss of the sale; or
(ii) in the case of a sale of major defense equipment that is also being procured for the use of the Armed Forces, the waiver of the charge or charges would (through a resulting increase in the total quantity of the equipment purchased from the source of the equipment that causes a reduction in the unit cost of the equipment) result in a savings to the United States on the cost of the equipment procured for the use of the Armed Forces that substantially offsets the revenue foregone by reason of the waiver of the charge or charges.
(C) The President may waive, for particular sales of major defense equipment, any increase in a charge or charges previously considered appropriate under paragraph (1)(B) if the increase results from a correction of an estimate (reasonable when made) of the production quantity base that was used for calculating the charge or charges for purposes of such paragraph.
(3)
(A) The President may waive the charges for administrative services that would otherwise be required by paragraph (1)(A) in connection with any sale to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies in support of—
(i) a support or procurement partnership agreement; or
(ii) a NATO/SHAPE project.
(B) The Secretary of Defense may reimburse the fund established to carry out section 2792(b) of this title in the amount of the charges waived under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. Any such reimbursement may be made from any funds available to the Department of Defense.
(C) As used in this paragraph—
(i) the term “support or procurement partnership agreement” means an agreement between two or more member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies that—
(I) is entered into pursuant to the terms of the charter of that organization; and
(II) is for the common logistic support of activities common to the participating countries; and
(ii) the term “NATO/SHAPE project” means a common-funded project supported by allocated credits from North Atlantic Treaty Organization bodies or by host nations with NATO Infrastructure funds.
(f) Public inspection of contracts
Any contracts entered into between the United States and a foreign country under the authority of this section or section 2762 of this title shall be prepared in a manner which will permit them to be made available for public inspection to the fullest extent possible consistent with the national security of the United States.
(g) North Atlantic Treaty Organization standardization agreements, similar agreements; reimbursement for costs; transmittal to Congress
The President may enter into North Atlantic Treaty Organization standardization agreements in carrying out section 814 of the Act of October 7, 1975 (Public Law 94–106), and may enter into similar agreements with countries which are major non-NATO allies, for the cooperative furnishing of training on bilateral or multilateral basis, if the financial principles of such agreements are based on reciprocity. Such agreements shall include reimbursement for all direct costs but may exclude reimbursement for indirect costs, administrative surcharges, and costs of billeting of trainees (except to the extent that members of the United States Armed Forces occupying comparable accommodations are charged for such accommodations by the United States). Each such agreement shall be transmitted promptly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(h) Reciprocal quality assurance, inspection, contract administrative services, and contract audit defense services; catalog data and services
(1) The President is authorized to provide (without charge) quality assurance, inspection, contract administration services, and contract audit defense services under this section—
(A) in connection with the placement or administration of any contract or subcontract for defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services entered into after October 29, 1979, by, or under this chapter on behalf of, a foreign government which is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, or Israel, if such government provides such services in accordance with an agreement on a reciprocal basis, without charge, to the United States Government; or
(B) in connection with the placement or administration of any contract or subcontract for defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment program in accordance with an agreement under which the foreign governments participating in such program provide such services, without charge, in connection with similar contracts or subcontracts.
(2) In carrying out the objectives of this section, the President is authorized to provide cataloging data and cataloging services, without charge, to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to any member government of that Organization, or to the Governments of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel if that Organization, member government, or the Governments of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel provides such data and services in accordance with an agreement on a reciprocal basis, without charge, to the United States Government.
(i) Sales affecting combat readiness of Armed Forces; statement to Congress; limitation on delivery
(1) Sales of defense articles and defense services which could have significant adverse effect on the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be kept to an absolute minimum. The President shall transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations of the Senate on the same day a written statement giving a complete explanation with respect to any proposal to sell, under this section or under authority of subchapter II–B, any defense articles or defense services if such sale could have a significant adverse effect on the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the United States. Each such statement shall be unclassified except to the extent that public disclosure of any item of information contained therein would be clearly detrimental to the security of the United States. Any necessarily classified information shall be confined to a supplemental report. Each such statement shall include an explanation relating to only one such proposal to sell and shall set forth—
(A) the country or international organization to which the sale is proposed to be made;
(B) the amount of the proposed sale;
(C) a description of the defense article or service proposed to be sold;
(D) a full description of the impact which the proposed sale will have on the Armed Forces of the United States; and
(E) a justification for such proposed sale, including a certification that such sale is important to the security of the United States.
A certification described in subparagraph (E) shall take effect on the date on which such certification is transmitted and shall remain in effect for not to exceed one year.
(2) No delivery may be made under any sale which is required to be reported under paragraph (1) of this subsection unless the certification required to be transmitted by paragraph 1 (E) of paragraph (1) is in effect.
(j) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title I, § 112, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 206
(k) Effect of sales of excess defense articles on national technology and industrial base
Before entering into the sale under this chapter of defense articles that are excess to the stocks of the Department of Defense, the President shall determine that the sale of such articles will not have an adverse impact on the national technology and industrial base and, particularly, will not reduce the opportunities of entities in the national technology and industrial base to sell new or used equipment to the countries to which such articles are transferred.
(l) Repair of defense articles
(1) In general
The President may acquire a repairable defense article from a foreign country or international organization if such defense article—
(A) previously was transferred to such country or organization under this chapter;
(B) is not an end item; and
(C) will be exchanged for a defense article of the same type that is in the stocks of the Department of Defense.
(2) Limitation
The President may exercise the authority provided in paragraph (1) only to the extent that the Department of Defense—
(A)
(i) has a requirement for the defense article being returned; and
(ii) has available sufficient funds authorized and appropriated for such purpose; or
(B)
(i) is accepting the return of the defense article for subsequent transfer to another foreign government or international organization pursuant to a letter of offer and acceptance implemented in accordance with this chapter; and
(ii) has available sufficient funds provided by or on behalf of such other foreign government or international organization pursuant to a letter of offer and acceptance implemented in accordance with this chapter.
(3) Requirement
(A) The foreign government or international organization receiving a new or repaired defense article in exchange for a repairable defense article pursuant to paragraph (1) shall, upon the acceptance by the United States Government of the repairable defense article being returned, be charged the total cost associated with the repair and replacement transaction.
(B) The total cost charged pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be the same as that charged the United States Armed Forces for a similar repair and replacement transaction, plus an administrative surcharge in accordance with subsection (e)(1)(A) of this section.
(4) Relationship to certain other provisions of law
The authority of the President to accept the return of a repairable defense article as provided in subsection (a) shall not be subject to chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10) of title 10 or any other provision of law relating to the conclusion of contracts.
(m) Return of defense articles
(1) In general
The President may accept the return of a defense article from a foreign country or international organization if such defense article—
(A) previously was transferred to such country or organization under this chapter;
(B) is not significant military equipment (as defined in section 2794(9) of this title); and
(C) is in fully functioning condition without need of repair or rehabilitation.
(2) Limitation
The President may exercise the authority provided in paragraph (1) only to the extent that the Department of Defense—
(A)
(i) has a requirement for the defense article being returned; and
(ii) has available sufficient funds authorized and appropriated for such purpose; or
(B)
(i) is accepting the return of the defense article for subsequent transfer to another foreign government or international organization pursuant to a letter of offer and acceptance implemented in accordance with this chapter; and
(ii) has available sufficient funds provided by or on behalf of such other foreign government or international organization pursuant to a letter of offer and acceptance implemented in accordance with this chapter.
(3) Credit for transaction
Upon acquisition and acceptance by the United States Government of a defense article under paragraph (1), the appropriate Foreign Military Sales account of the provider shall be credited to reflect the transaction.
(4) Relationship to certain other provisions of law
The authority of the President to accept the return of a defense article as provided in paragraph (1) shall not be subject to chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10) of title 10 or any other provision of law relating to the conclusion of contracts.
(Pub. L. 90–629, ch. 2, § 21, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1323; Pub. L. 94–329, title II, §§ 205, 206, June 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 736, 738; Pub. L. 95–384, § 16, Sept. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 96–92, § 12, Oct. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 705; Pub. L. 96–533, title I, §§ 102, 103, 105(b)(1), 115(b)(2), Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3132, 3134, 3140; Pub. L. 97–113, title I, §§ 103, 104, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1521; Pub. L. 97–392, § 3, Dec. 29, 1982, 96 Stat. 1963; Pub. L. 98–473, title I, § 101(1) [title III, § 301], Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 1884, 1895; Pub. L. 99–83, title I, §§ 107(a), 108–111, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 196, 197; Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(e) [title V, § 580], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–131, 1329–181; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title X, § 1002, Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2037; Pub. L. 101–165, title IX, § 9104(c), Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 1152; Pub. L. 102–25, title VII, § 705(d)(1), Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 120; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title I, § 114, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2333; Pub. L. 103–236, title VII, § 731(d), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title I, § 112, div. D, title XLIII, § 4303(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 206, 658; Pub. L. 104–164, title I, §§ 104(b)(1), 112(c)(2), 147(a)(3)(A), (b), 152(a), (b), July 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1426, 1428, 1435, 1438, 1439; Pub. L. 104–201, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2802(d)(2), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2787; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. B, title XII, § 1222], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–498; Pub. L. 109–102, title V, § 534(l)(1), (2), Nov. 14, 2005, 119 Stat. 2211; Pub. L. 110–429, title II, § 203(b)(1), (3), (4), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4845; Pub. L. 111–266, title III, § 301(1), Oct. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 2804; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XII, § 1250(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 926; Pub. L. 113–276, title II, § 208(a)(1), (2), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 2992, 2993; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XII, § 1279(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2072; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(l)(3), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2160.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 90–629, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1321, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2751 of this title and Tables.
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(C) and (c)(2), is Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 2151 et seq.) of this title. Chapter 5 of part II of such Act is classified generally to part V of subchapter II (§ 2347 et seq.) of chapter 32 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2151 of this title and Tables.
Section 814 of the act of October 7, 1975 (Public Law 94–106), referred to in subsec. (g), is not classified to the Code.
heading: Codification
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 98–473 is based on section 102 of S. 2346, Ninety-eighth Congress, as introduced in the Senate Feb. 27, 1984, which was enacted into permanent law by Pub. L. 98–473.
heading: Amendments
text: 2021—Subsecs. (l)(4), (m)(4). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted “chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10)” for “chapter 137”.
2018—Subsec. (e)(3)(A). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1279(b)(1)(A), substituted “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support and Procurement Organization” for “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support Organization” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1279(b)(1)(B), substituted “support or procurement partnership agreement” for “support partnership agreement”.
Subsec. (e)(3)(C)(i). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1279(b)(2), in introductory provisions, substituted “ ‘support or procurement partnership agreement’ ” for “ ‘weapon system partnership agreement’ ” and “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support and Procurement Organization” for “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support Organization”.
2014—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–276, § 208(a)(1), substituted “the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and” for “the Speaker of the House of Representatives and”.
Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 113–276, § 208(a)(2), inserted “, the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services of the House of Representatives,” after “the Speaker of the House of Representatives” in introductory provisions.
2013—Subsec. (e)(3)(A). Pub. L. 113–66, § 1250(b)(1), substituted “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support Organization and its executive agencies” for “Maintenance and Supply Agency of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 113–66, § 1250(b)(2), substituted “support partnership agreement” for “weapon system partnership agreement”.
Subsec. (e)(3)(C)(i). Pub. L. 113–66, § 1250(b)(1), substituted “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support Organization and its executive agencies” for “Maintenance and Supply Agency of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(3)(C)(i)(II). Pub. L. 113–66, § 1250(b)(3), substituted “activities” for “a specific weapon system”.
2010—Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–266 inserted “Israel,” before “or New Zealand”.
2008—Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–429, § 203(b)(1), inserted “the Republic of Korea,” before “or New Zealand”.
Subsec. (h)(1)(A). Pub. L. 110–429, § 203(b)(3), inserted “the Republic of Korea,” before “or Israel”.
Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 110–429, § 203(b)(4), substituted “, to any member government of that Organization, or to the Governments of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel if that Organization, member government, or the Governments of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel” for “or to any member government of that Organization if that Organization or member government”.
2005—Subsec. (h)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–102, § 534(l)(1), inserted “or the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel” after “North Atlantic Treaty Organization”.
Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 109–102, § 534(l)(2), which directed the substitution of “, to any member of that Organization, or to the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel if that Organization, member government, or the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel” for “or to any member government that Organization if that Organization or member government”, could not be executed because the phrase “or to any member government that Organization if that Organization or member government” does not appear in text.
1999—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 106–113 inserted “and the Coast Guard” after “Department of Defense” in introductory provisions.
1996—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–164, § 112(c)(2), inserted “or to any high-income foreign country (as described in that chapter)”.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 104–106, § 4303(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpars. (B) and (C).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–164, § 147(a)(3)(A), (b), substituted “similar agreements with countries” for “similar agreements with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and with other countries” in first sentence and struck out at end “As used in this subsection, the term ‘major non-NATO allies’ means those countries designated as major non-NATO allies for purposes of section 2350a(i)(3) of title 10.”
Subsec. (h)(1)(B). Pub. L. 104–201 substituted “Security Investment program” for “Infrastructure Program”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–106, § 112, struck out heading and text of subsec. (j). Text read as follows:
“(1) Funds received from the sale of tanks under this section shall be available for the upgrading of tanks for fielding to the Army.
“(2) Funds received from the sale of infantry fighting vehicles or armored personnel carriers under this section shall be available for the upgrading of infantry fighting vehicles or armored personnel carriers for fielding to the Army.
“(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
“(4) This subsection applies with respect to funds received from sales occurring after September 30, 1989.”
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 104–164, § 104(b)(1), substituted “the President shall determine that the sale of such articles will not have an adverse impact on the national technology and industrial base and, particularly, will not reduce the opportunities of entities in the national technology and industrial base to sell new or used equipment to the countries to which such articles are transferred.” for “the President shall first consider the effects of the sale of the articles on the national technology and industrial base, particularly the extent, if any, to which the sale reduces the opportunities of entities in the national technology and industrial base to sell new equipment to the country or countries to which the excess defense articles are sold.”
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 104–164, § 152(a), added subsec. (l).
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 104–164, § 152(b), added subsec. (m).
1994—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 103–236 added subsec. (k).
1992—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 102–484 added subsec. (j).
1991—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–25 substituted “section 2350a(i)(3) of title 10” for “section 2767a of this title”.
1989—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 101–165, § 9104(c)(1), inserted reference to section 2792(b) and (c) of this title.
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101–165, § 9104(c)(2), (3), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and inserted exception for equipment wholly paid for from funds transferred under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or from funds made available under section 2763 of this title. Former subpar. (B), which included charges for any use of plant and production equipment in connection with defense articles, was struck out.
Subsec. (e)(1)(C), (D). Pub. L. 101–165, § 9104(c)(3), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (B).
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–165, § 9104(c)(4), substituted reference to par. (1)(B) for reference to pars. (1)(B) and (1)(C).
1988—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 100–456 added par. (3).
1987—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–202 inserted “and with other countries which are major non-NATO allies,” after “New Zealand,” and inserted last sentence defining “major non-NATO allies”.
1985—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–83, § 107(a)(1), (2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), and substituted “(A)”, “(B)”, and “(C)” for “(1)”, “(2)”, and “(3)”, respectively.
Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99–83, § 108(a), inserted provisions relating to training sold to a purchaser receiving assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–83, § 107(a)(3), added par. (2).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 99–83, § 109, inserted provisions excluding pro rata share of fixed base operation costs.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–83, § 108(b), added subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 99–83, §§ 110, 111(1), (2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted applicability to contract administrative services, and substituted “(A)” and “(B)” for “(1)” and “(2)”, respectively.
Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 99–83, § 111(3), added par. (2).
1984—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–473 struck out “sold to a purchaser who is concurrently receiving assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961” after “in the case of training”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–473 struck out subsec. (g) which related to NATO standardization agreements and similar agreements with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
1982—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 97–392 inserted reference to proposals to sell under the authority of subchapter II–B.
1981—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 97–113, § 103, substituted provision for a report within forty-eight hours of existence of or change in status of significant hostilities or terrorist acts or series of such acts, which may endanger American lives or property for provision for a report within 48 hours after outbreak of significant hostilities and omitted provision for statement of relation between the defense services and hostilities in the country, the location and precise nature of personnel activities, and likelihood of personnel engagement in the hostilities.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 97–113, § 104, authorized reduction or waiver of charges for use and nonrecurring research, development, and production costs respecting sales significantly advancing United States interests in standardization with Armed Forces of Japan, Australia, or New Zealand in furtherance of the mutual defense treaties between the United States and those countries.
1980—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 96–533, § 115(b)(2), included payment, in case of training sold to a purchaser currently receiving international military education and training assistance, of additional costs incurred by the United States Government in furnishing the training.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 96–533, § 102, designated existing provision as par. (1), substituted “training and advising that may engage United States personnel in combat activities” for “training, advising, or otherwise providing assistance regarding combat activities”, and added par. (2).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 96–533, § 103, authorized the President to enter into standardization agreements with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 96–533, § 105(b)(1), substituted “defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services” for “defense articles or defense services” in two places.
1979—Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 96–92 added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).
1978—Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 95–384 added subpar. (D).
1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–329, § 205, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and substituted provisions authorizing President to sell defense articles and defense services from Department of Defense stocks to eligible countries and international organizations who agree to pay specified values for such articles and services in United States dollars, for provisions requiring that payment for defense articles and defense services from stocks be made in advance, or if in the best interest of the United States as determined by the President, within a reasonable period not to exceed 120 days after delivery of the articles or rendering of the services.
Subsecs. (b) to (h). Pub. L. 94–329, §§ 205, 206, added subsecs. (b) to (h).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 104–106, div. D, title XLIII, § 4303(b)–(d), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 659, provided that:
“(b) Conditions.—
Subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective only if—
“(1) the President, in the budget of the President for fiscal year 1997, proposes legislation that if enacted would be qualifying offsetting legislation; and
“(2) there is enacted qualifying offsetting legislation.
“(c) Effective Date.—
If the conditions in subsection (b) are met, then the amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of qualifying offsetting legislation [Sept. 23, 1996].
“(d) Definitions.—
For purposes of this section:
“(1) The term ‘qualifying offsetting legislation’ means legislation that includes provisions that—
“(A) offset fully the estimated revenues lost as a result of the amendments made by subsection (a) for each of the fiscal years 1997 through 2005;
“(B) expressly state that they are enacted for the purpose of the offset described in subparagraph (A); and
“(C) are included in full on the PayGo scorecard.
“(2) The term ‘PayGo scorecard’ means the estimates that are made by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under section 252(d) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 [2 U.S.C. 902(d)].”
[Qualifying offsetting legislation was enacted by Pub. L. 104–201, § 3303, listed in a Materials in the National Defense Stockpile table under section 98d of Title 50, War and National Defense.]
heading: Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 99–83 effective Oct. 1, 1985, see section 1301 of Pub. L. 99–83, set out as a note under section 2151–1 of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective July 1, 1968, see section 41 of Pub. L. 90–629, set out as a note under section 2751 of this title.
heading: Regulations
text: Pub. L. 104–164, title I, § 152(c), July 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1439, provided that: “Under the direction of the President, the Secretary of Defense shall promulgate regulations to implement subsections (l) and (m) of section 21 of the Arms Export Control Act [22 U.S.C. 2761(l), (m)], as added by this section.”
heading: Transfer of Functions
text: For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
heading: Improvements to Security Cooperation Workforce and Defense Acquisition Workforce
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XII, § 1211, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1082, provided that:
“(a) Responsibilities of Secretary of Defense.—
The Secretary of Defense shall, consistent with the requirements of section 384 of title 10, United States Code, seek to ensure that—
“(1) members of the defense acquisition workforce engaged in foreign military sales planning and execution—
“(A) are aware of evolving United States regional- and country-level foreign partner defense capability-building priorities; and
“(B) coordinate with the security cooperation workforce to enhance responsiveness to foreign partner requests and defense capability-building priorities; and
“(2) evaluations of members of the defense acquisition workforce measure—
“(A) adherence to meeting the foreign partner defense capability-building requirements identified in Department of Defense strategy documents;
“(B) responsiveness to foreign partner defense capability-building requests;
“(C) ability to meet foreign partner defense capability-building delivery schedule requirements; and
“(D) advancement of foreign partner defense capability-building priorities identified in the guidance described in subsection (b).
“(b) Guidance.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the Secretary of Defense shall update, as necessary, Department of Defense guidance governing the execution of foreign military sales by the Department to ensure that such guidance—
“(A) incorporates priorities of the national security strategy report (submitted pursuant to section 108 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3043)) and the national defense strategy (required under section 113(g) of title 10, United States Code);
“(B) is informed by the theater campaign plans and theater security cooperation strategies of the combatant commands;
“(C) is disseminated to the security cooperation workforce and the defense acquisition workforce.
“(2) Elements.—
The updated guidance required by paragraph (1) shall—
“(A) identify regional and country-level foreign partner defense capability-building priorities;
“(B) identify levels of urgency and desired timelines for achieving foreign partner defense capability-building priorities; and
“(C) provide guidance to the defense acquisition workforce and the security cooperation workforce on levels of resourcing, innovation, and risk tolerance that should be considered in meeting urgent needs through the execution of foreign military sales.
“(c) Foreign Military Sales Continuous Process Improvement Board.—
[Amended section 1210(b)(2) of Pub. L. 118–159, set out as a note below.]
“(d) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The term ‘defense acquisition workforce’ means the Department of Defense acquisition workforce described in chapter 87 of title 10, United States Code.
“(2) The term ‘security cooperation workforce’ has the meaning given the term in section 384 of title 10, United States Code.”
heading: Modifications to Foreign Military Sales Processes
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XII, § 1212, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1084, provided that:
“(a) Acquisition Strategies.—
The Secretary of Defense shall, with respect to the foreign military sales process—
“(1) establish a requirement that, in developing letters of offer and acceptance for a foreign military sale, the acquisition program manager, or other official responsible for the program, shall develop an acquisition strategy that is—
“(A) informed by input from the purchaser of such foreign military sale; and
“(B) executed in a manner that effectively addresses urgency of need and associated risk tolerance of such purchaser; and
“(2) in establishing such requirement, ensure that such purchaser is provided an opportunity to provide input on urgency of need and associated risk tolerance, alternative acquisition approaches that may be taken to accelerate program delivery, and the schedule, cost, and capability trade-offs associated with such alternate approaches.
“(b) Agreements With Manufacturers.—
“(1) In general.—
A United States prime contractor may enter into a covered agreement with a manufacturer to begin the process of acquiring long-lead Government-furnished equipment based on forecasted requirements prior to the execution of a contract for a commercial sale or issuance of a letter of offer and acceptance for a foreign military sale.
“(2) Department of defense policy.—
“(A) In general.—
The Secretary of Defense and each Secretary of a military department shall implement policies that allow United States prime contractors to enter into covered agreements described in paragraph (1).
“(B) Elements.—
The policies required by subparagraph (A) shall require—
“(i) United States prime contractors to be responsible for—
“(I) negotiating directly with the manufacturer of Government-furnished equipment, including with respect to the terms and conditions described in subsection (c)(1)(B); and
“(II) providing any payment to such manufacturer; and
“(ii) transfer of Government-furnished equipment from such manufacturer to the prime contractor shall not occur until the date on which a contract for a commercial sale or letter of offer and acceptance is executed with respect to the foreign military sale that is the subject of the covered agreement.
“(3) Rule of construction.—
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing, requiring, or providing for the United States Government to assume any liability or other financial responsibility with respect to a covered agreement.
“(c) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The term ‘covered agreement’ means an agreement between a United States prime contractor and a manufacturer pursuant to which—
“(A) the prime contractor, in anticipation of a foreign military sale, enters into a contract with the manufacturer for the production of one or more defense articles (as defined in section 301 of title 10, United States Code) that will be supplied to the prime contractor as Government-furnished equipment;
“(B) the parties agree to the allocation of risks, obligations, profits, and costs in the event the anticipated foreign military sale does not occur, including whether the defense articles manufactured under the agreement are retained by the manufacturer; and
“(C) the United States Government assumes no liability with respect to either party in the event the anticipated foreign military sale does not occur.
“(2) The term ‘foreign military sales process’ means the processes for foreign military sales authorized under chapter 2 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2761 et seq.).”
heading: Improvements to Defense Acquisition Workforce for Foreign Military Sales
text: Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XII, § 1210(b), (c), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2098, as amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XII, § 1211(c), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1083, provided that:
“(b) Foreign Military Sales Continuous Process Improvement Board.—
“(1) Establishment.—
The Secretary of Defense shall establish a Foreign Military Sales Continuous Process Improvement Board (in this section referred to as the ‘Board’) to serve as an enduring governance structure within the Department of Defense that reports to the Secretary on matters relating to the foreign military sales process so as to enhance accountability and continuous improvement within the Department, including the objectives of—
“(A) improving the understanding, among officials of the Department, of ally and partner requirements;
“(B) enabling efficient reviews for release of technology;
“(C) providing ally and partner countries with relevant priority equipment;
“(D) accelerating acquisition and contracting support;
“(E) expanding the capacity of the defense industrial base;
“(F) working with other departments and agencies to promote broad United States Government support; and
“(G) any other matters determined by the Secretary to be relevant to the Board.
“(2) Membership.—
“(A) In general.—
The Board shall be composed of not fewer than seven members, each of whom shall have expertise in security cooperation, security assistance, defense acquisition, business process reform, or any disciplines the Secretary determines to be important to the functioning of the Board.
“(B) Certain members.—
“(i) In general.—
Up to three of the members of the Board may be selected from among individuals who are not any of the following:
“(I) Officers or employees of the Department of Defense.
“(II) Members of the Armed Forces.
“(III) A registered lobbyist.
“(ii) Clearance.—
Each member of the Board described in this subparagraph shall be individuals who are determined to be eligible for access to classified information necessary to participate on the Board.”
“(3) Sunset.—This subsection shall terminate on December 31, 2030.
“(c) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) The term ‘defense acquisition workforce’ means the Department of Defense acquisition workforce described in chapter 87 of title 10, United States Code.
“(2) The term ‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)] and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code[.]
“(3) The term ‘security cooperation workforce’ has the meaning given the term in section 384 of title 10, United States Code.”
heading: Notional Milestones and Standard Timelines for Contracts for Foreign Military Sales
text: Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, § 887, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1506, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VIII, § 887, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3791, provided that:
“(a) Establishment.—
“(1) In general.—
The Secretary of Defense shall establish specific notional milestones and standard timelines for the Department of Defense to achieve such milestones in its processing of a foreign military sale (as authorized under chapter 2 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2761 et seq.)). Such milestones and timelines—
“(A) may vary depending on the complexity of the foreign military sale; and
“(B) shall cover the period beginning on the date of receipt of a complete letter of request (as described in chapter 5 of the Security Assistance Management Manual of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency) from a foreign country and ending on the date of the final delivery of a defense article or defense service sold through the foreign military sale.
“(2) Report.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017], the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the milestones and timelines developed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this section.
“(b) Submissions to Congress.—
“(1) Quarterly notification.—
During the period beginning 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, on a quarterly basis, a report that includes a list of each foreign military sale with a value greater than or equal to the dollar threshold for congressional notification under section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776)—
“(A) for which the final delivery of a defense article or defense service has not been completed; and
“(B) that has not met a standard timeline to achieve a notional milestone as established under subsection (a).
“(2) Annual report.—
Not later than November 1, 2019, and annually thereafter until December 31, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that summarizes—
“(A) the number, set forth separately by dollar value and notional milestone, of foreign military sales that met the standard timeline to achieve a notional milestone established under subsection (a) during the preceding fiscal year; and
“(B) the number, set forth separately by dollar value and notional milestone, of each foreign military sale that did not meet the standard timeline to achieve a notional milestone established under subsection (a), and a description of any extenuating factors explaining why such a sale did not achieve such milestone.
“(3) Applicability.—
The requirements of this subsection apply only to foreign military sales processes within the Department of Defense.
“(c) Definitions.—
In this section—
“(1) the terms ‘defense article’ and ‘defense service’ have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2794); and
“(2) the term ‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means—
“(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
“(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.”
heading: International Sales Process Improvements
text: Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, § 1297, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2563, provided that:
“(a) Plan Required.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2016], the Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan to improve the management and use of fees collected on transfer of defense articles and services via sale, lease, or grant to international customers under programs over which the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has administration responsibilities. The plan shall include options to use fees more effectively—
“(1) to improve the staffing and processes of the licensing review cycle at the Defense Technology Security Administration and other reviewing authorities; and
“(2) to maintain a cadre of contracting officers and acquisition officials who specialize in foreign military sales contracting.
“(b) Process for Gathering Input.—
The Secretary of Defense shall establish a process for contractors to provide input, feedback, and adjudication of any differences regarding the appropriateness of governmental pricing and availability estimates prior to the delivery to potential foreign customers of formal responses to Letters of Request for Pricing and Availability.”
heading: Executive Documents
heading: Delegation of Functions
text: For delegation of certain functions of the President under this section, see section 1(c) of Ex. Ord. No. 13637, Mar. 8, 2013, 78 F.R. 16129, set out as a note under section 2751 of this title. Functions were previously delegated by Ex. Ord. No. 11958, which was formerly set out as a note under section 2751 of this title and was revoked, subject to a savings provision, by section 4 of Ex. Ord. No. 13637.