In 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III initiated the formation of a “tiger team” to explore ways to streamline the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system for partner nations interested in purchasing U.S. military hardware. The tiger team, which later transitioned into a Continuous Process Improvement Board (CPIB), aimed to implement solutions to enhance the FMS system and identify new ways to improve it in the future. Some of the successes achieved include the establishment of the CPIB, creation of the Defense Security Cooperation Service, the Security Cooperation Execution Focus Forum, and the development of an acquisition and sustainment toolkit.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there has been a significant increase in interest from partner nations to purchase U.S. military hardware. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency reported a substantial rise in FMS sales, with sales reaching over $80 billion in fiscal year 2024 and potentially exceeding $100 billion by the end of the year. This growth has highlighted the importance of improving the FMS system to meet the needs of American partners and allies seeking to acquire U.S. military capabilities.
The tiger team was established in response to the complex process involved in foreign nations purchasing U.S. military hardware, which can be daunting and time-consuming. By analyzing various FMS case studies, the team identified pain points and recommended solutions to streamline the system and expedite the procurement process for partner nations. The CPIB has since taken on the task of implementing these recommendations, with a focus on enhancing the Defense Security Cooperation Service to better support foreign partners navigating the FMS process.
To address the increasing demand for FMS and strengthen partnerships with U.S. security allies, the Department of Defense plans to expand its workforce dedicated to FMS initiatives. The creation of the Security Cooperation Execution Focus Forum aims to identify and resolve potential challenges in FMS cases before they escalate, while the acquisition and sustainment toolkit provides contracting officers with best practices for working with partner nations. Competitive financing options, such as the credit assured payment schedule, have also been introduced to make U.S. military hardware more accessible to nations unable to pay the full cost upfront. Through these efforts, the U.S. aims to enhance interoperability with partners and foster long-term relationships built on mutual security cooperation.
