On November 8, 2018, the Department of State posted a Fact Sheet on the Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy Implementation Plan Update. The following are excerpts from the Fact Sheet:
In July the Secretary of State submitted to the President the Implementation Plan requested as part of the Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy (NSPM-10). This plan supports the U.S. National Security Strategy through a whole-of-government approach to better align our conventional arms transfers with our national security and economic interests.
In developing the CAT Policy Implementation Plan, and in order to ensure that it is fully integrated the real-world challenges we face, the Administration collected inputs from Congress, American industry and the non-governmental community. We are grateful for their cooperation in this process.
The Plan accounts for the increasingly competitive environment described in the National Security Strategy, and seeks to modernize the U.S. Government’s policies and processes regarding arms transfers. It establishes three Lines of Effort (LOE) to implement our CAT Policy goals. Each LOE is supported by a number of tasks that will be undertaken by the relevant U.S. Government agencies.
Line of Effort 1 – Prioritize Strategic and Economic Competition
Tasks within this line of effort include:
- Effectively compete with strategic competitors;
- Identify critical partner capability requirements;
- Prioritize and expedite critical transfers;
- Identify and revise outdated arms transfer policies; and
- Develop holistic policies in support of arms transfers.
Line of Effort 2 – Organize for Success
Tasks under this LOE include:
- Streamline the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR);
- Revise the United States Munitions List (USML);
- Update the Commerce Control List (CCL);
- Facilitate exports for certain U.S. and cooperative programs;
- Establish objective milestones and standard timelines for Foreign Military Sales (FMS);
- Increase the competiveness of high-demand American weapons systems;
- Build exportability;
- Improve contracting for FMS;
- Enhance U.S. Government advocacy;
- Expand support for Non-Programs of Record;
- Improve FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) processes and policies;
- Examine the U.S. Government policy on offsets; and
- Develop financing options.
Line of Effort 3 – Create Conducive Environments
Tasks in this line of effort include:
- Improve the FMS requirements development approach;
- Reduce costs associated with FMS;
- Improve the funding flexibility associated with FMS;
- Request from Congress, where needed, legislative changes regarding contracting requirements for FMS;
- Establish an Offset Task Force;
- Modernize the Missile Technology Control Regime;
- Improve trade promotion; and
- Work with U.S. industry to incentivize increased production capacity and timely delivery.
Progress and the Way Ahead
The Administration is assessing progress on a quarterly basis, and revising the plan where needed. We continue to solicit input from industry, non-governmental organizations, and Congress to improve the arms transfer process, as well as feedback on the results of our efforts. To date, the Administration has made great progress in developing strategies to compete against strategic and economic rivals, has revised numerous policies to increase U.S. competitiveness, has reduced costs, is on track to streamline regulations and improve processes, among other accomplishments.
For details, see the Fact Sheet.
