The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command is responsible for managing security assistance programs and Foreign Military Sales for the Army. USASAC is known as the "Army's Face to the World" because it serves as the primary entry point for U.S. Army materiel and service related FMS requirements.
The Foreign Military Sales program is the U.S. government's program for transferring defense articles, services and training to other sovereign nations and international organizations. Under FMS, the U.S. government procures defense articles on behalf of the foreign customer. The President of the United States designates countries and international organizations eligible to participate in FMS. The Department of State makes those recommendations and approves individual programs on a case-by-case basis. Countries approved to participate in this program may obtain defense articles and services by paying with their own national funds or with funds provided through U.S. government-sponsored assistance programs. In certain cases, defense articles, services and training may be obtained on a grant basis. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency administers the FMS program for the Department of Defense.
In carrying out the Army security assistance mission, USASAC calls on all Army Materiel Command Life Cycle Management Commands as well as other Department of Defense agencies and U.S. industry for support. Each sale of equipment to overseas customers comprises the same "total package" of quality materiel, facilities, spare parts, training, publications, technical documentation, maintenance support and other services that AMC provides to U.S. Army units.
The U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization (USASATMO) is a subordinate command of USASAC that can deploy teams from its engagement and aviation branches throughout the world to provide training tailored to a country for equipment purchased through FMS. USASATMO's motto is "Training the World, One Soldier at a Time," and it currently has 24 teams deployed to 18 different countries.
Security assistance promotes regional stability, deters aggression, maintains alliances, enhances coalition partnerships, and disseminates democratic values between the United States and its allies.
Currently, USASAC manages more than 4,600 FMS cases valued at more than $134 billion. USASAC encourages strength in cooperation with 145 countries and 11 agencies by providing security assistance and FMS. USASAC interfaces with 119 Security Cooperation Offices worldwide.
Strength In Cooperation:
- FY09: $24.2B
- FY10: $14.6B
- FY11: $13.6B
- FY12: $19.7B
USASAC provides assistance under:
- Military education and training
- Peacekeeping operations
- Counter-terrorism assistance
- Counter-narcotics assistance
- Humanitarian efforts
Benefits of Security Assistance:
- One of the principal elements of the U.S. Foreign Policy
- Designed to promote regional stability
- Supports mutual goals and objectives
Worldwide Impact of FMS:
- Enhances Political-Military ties
- Provides for military compatibility and interoperability
- Enhances defense industry interest of both nations
- Reduces production costs
- U.S. Army and DoD are strong advocates for U.S. industry
- Bottom Line: FMS impacts national security strategy goals
Military Sales Policies:
- The President certifies eligible countries
- Regulated by the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act
- The relationship with the purchasing country is crucial
The U.S. desires more than just a simple buyer - seller relationship
- Each sales is made in accordance with the policies and strategic interests of the U.S. government.
The U.S. government will neither make nor lose money
- DoD promotes the acquisition of standard service configuration
U.S. industry does the marketing
- The U.S. government has no preference between military sales and commercial sales, however the U.S. Armed Forces have priority
- Materiel is either shipped from U.S. government stocks or from production
Our goal is to field a total package and promote self-sufficiency
Locations:
- Headquarters, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
- New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
- Washington Field Office, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
- U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Office of the Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Liaison Officers at each Combatant Commands (COCOMs), Kuwait and Afghanistan
Related Links:
U.S. Army Security Assistance Command website
U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization
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