H.R. 8665 · Passed House · International Affairs

Allied Defense Sales Act

Sponsor: Ryan K. Zinke (R-MT)

What it does

• Direct the Department of State to implement a strategy encouraging foreign entities to participate in multinational military procurement processes.
• Require the State Department to periodically report on the strategy's implementation.
• Authorize multinational defense sales where the United States sells defense articles or services to a lead foreign nation for subsequent transfer to other qualifying countries.
• Direct the State Department to identify countries eligible to serve as lead purchase coordinators and review compliance pathways under the Arms Export Control Act.

Official summary

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).

Latest action

Jun 9, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations