H.R. 8665: Allied Defense Sales Act

This bill directs the Department of State to implement a strategy to encourage foreign entities to participate in a multinational military procurement process. The State Department must also periodically report on the strategy and its implementation.

Under the bill, this process involves the sale by the United States to a lead foreign nation of defense articles or services which are subsequently transferred to other qualifying countries.

The strategy must incorporate existing efforts by the State Department to, for example, survey interest, identify countries and partners who could serve as lead purchase coordinators, review pathways for participation for countries that are ineligible for foreign military financing loans, identify challenges and solutions regarding compliance with the Arms Export Control Act, and identify opportunities to develop and promote exportable defense articles and services (including for purposes of supporting the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.