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Ukraine war, global security tensions spur unprecedented demand for U.S. weaponry

By Adriane ElliotDecember 6, 2024

The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) ended Fiscal 2024 at an all-time high, closing out the year with a record-breaking $42.8 billion in new business, a 20 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number in its 59-year history.

“With the increased military competition around the globe, the role of security assistance through foreign military sales (FMS) will continue to grow. Strengthening allies and partners is key to the National Defense Strategy, and USASAC is committed to supporting that mission,” said Brig. Gen. Allen J. Pepper, USASAC commanding general.

Headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, USASAC manages the Army’s FMS and security assistance programs and oversees over 6,000 FMS cases worth approximately $281 billion for 136 countries and 11 agencies.

But despite its historic sales, the command is far from money-focused.

“Our main objective is to support U.S foreign policy by bolstering the defensive capabilities of critical allies and partners across the globe,” said Pepper. “Every dollar spent fortifies our allies. While we must be capable of fighting and winning on our own, we are stronger and more formidable when we work with allies and partners to stage, support, maneuver and execute the fight together.”

He said this unified front is critical on today’s strategically complex battlefields and is at the core of USASAC’s FMS mission.

As of September 2024, the command has assisted in the delivery of over 12,000 FMS shipments worth $3.5 billion to Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked large-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. [AP1] USASAC and other Security Assistance Enterprise entities, coupled with extensive support from the international community, have been vital to Ukraine’s dogged resistance. And its neighbors have taken note.

Although the threat that the Ukraine war brings to NATO’s Eastern Flank has undoubtedly triggered the unprecedented spike in FMS, a unique business approach makes America the ideal partner of choice for its allies.

USASAC’s Total Package Approach includes training, spare parts, refurbishment, training, maintenance and logistics support, in addition to the weapons system purchased through FMS.

“We ensure our allies and partners have all the necessary training and institutional capacity to effectively employ and sustain the equipment we provide,” said Pepper. “An American-backed guarantee like that is hard to beat.”

HIGHLIGHTS

FY 2024 highlights from USASAC's Regional Operations (RO) Directorates include:

  • CENTCOM RO: Significant FY24 cases includes continued support for Israel, including various ammunition and HELLFIRE missiles, as well as Apache Helicopters for the United Arab Emirates. These cases contributed to the increase in new business, from $4.9 billion in FY23 to $6.4 billion in FY24.
  • EUCOM/AFRICOM: During FY24, new businesses tallied $34.1 billion, up from the previous year’s $24.9 billion. A marked interest in High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and PATRIOTs can be contributed to European nations’ push to meet both modernization goals and NATO defense spending commitments, along with increased Russian aggression.
  • INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND/SOUTHERN COMMAND/NORTHERN COMMAND (ISN): Demand signal has increased steadily with aviation and missile defense being the primary drivers within the ISN. Pending Apache, Javelin/Excalibur and Stryker cases are expected to bolster several nations’ portfolios in the future. ISN’s new business in FY24 tallied $1.9 billion, and its overall portfolio totals $41.5 billion.

“The impact of security assistance is what really matters. Many of our Eastern European partners have replaced their Soviet-era equipment with U.S. materiel, which increases interoperability and further enhances our military relationship,” Pepper stated. “And the investment in defensive missile systems by our partners in the CENTCOM and EUCOM regions are further proof of the trust they have in our equipment, training and commitment,” he said.

Another example Pepper mentioned was the innovative ways the U.S. and partners are using to build capacity. He cited the recent transfer of small arms, tactical vehicles and trailers to Moldova with the assistance of the North Carolina National Guard as part of a USASAC Excess Defense Articles case.

“This saves the Moldovan military money and uses the State Partnership program to help satisfy partner requirements while removing excess U.S. equipment in support of our Army’s Modernization efforts.”

Other FY24 highlights include key leadership assignments and organization changes:

  • Brig. Gen. Allen J. Pepper assumed command of USASAC during a Sept. 6 ceremony at Redstone Arsenal. Brig. Gen. Brad Nicholson relinquished command July 26.
  • Chief of Staff Wheeler Manning joined the USASAC team after Colonel Stephanie A. Barton’s retirement in June 2024.
  • Col. Michael J. Trotter relinquished his duties as Office of the Program Manager-Saudi Arabian National Guard Program Manager to Col. Wade A. Germann Aug. 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • USASAC underwent an extensive reorganization in April, realigning functions, processes and personnel, and freeing up resources encumbered by legacy processes.

USASAC employs personnel from its Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and New Cumberland, Pennsylvania headquarters, and from locations worldwide, in support of the U.S. National Defense Strategy. For more information on USASAC’s foreign military sales mission and how it supports U.S. national security, visit its social media platforms and www.army.mil/usasac.