International Armaments Cooperation Bring Huge Benefits. Here's How

It is no surprise that the United States is the largest exporter of arms in the world. What may surprise some people is how wide the margins are between the amount of military armaments and goods sold and transferred by the U.S. and our closest competitors. 

However, this article's focus is not on how much the U.S. sells, or even who they sell armaments to. It is about how International Armament Cooperations (IAC) benefits the U.S., our allies, and the global defense markets. 

Overview of International Armaments Cooperation

Alright, so what are International Armaments Cooperations?

Generally speaking, an IAC refers to a collaboration between countries in the development, production, and even the procurement of military equipment and technologies. These cooperations take several different forms, such as joint research and development projects, coordinated manufacturing in multiple locations, and the legal exchange of technological innovations. 

Historically speaking, IACs have played a strong role in strengthening global alliances. That more than one nation has skin in the game helps foster a mutual trust among that stakeholder nations. 

One high-profile example is the F-35 project, envisioned from the beginning as a multinational project. Another great example is the A-29 Super Tucano. The Super Tucano is a prime example of a project with strong IAC implications. This aircraft has been adopted by a bunch of countries, most noteworthy being Iraq, Afghanistan, Columbia, and even Nigeria. 

One key aspect of the A-29 Super Tucanos international cooperation is its joint development and production. Embraer and its partner, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), have co-produced the aircraft in the United States specifically for the U.S. Air Force’s Light Air Support (LAS) program. 

This was a good example of IAC, a Brazilian and an American company demonstrating how international partnerships pool resources, expertise, and technological innovations to create a highly capable military aircraft. 

Economic Benefits

Research and development are among the most expensive parts of developing military equipment and defense articles. Therefore, it makes sense to work on developing these assets with other countries that share our values and goals. 

National defense is no longer confined to what occurs within our borders. We have established strategic partnerships globally with nations that share our values and can support our mission, just as we support theirs.

This approach underpins foreign military sales (FMS), where we provide advanced weapon systems to allied nations. These allies can request American hardware instead of investing heavily in their own research, development, and manufacturing. Many of these countries lack the capacity to meet their defense needs independently, but they can afford to work in concert with the U.S. and the multitude of other nations we are seeking American armaments. We have the R&D capabilities that are simply out of reach for most nations. It is a huge economic boon for them to pay a portion of the costs and  

Similar to FMS, International Armaments Cooperation involves formal agreements between the United States and partner nations. Given that modern conflicts typically involve multiple countries, collaborative research and development are highly practical.

Strategic and Tactical Advantages

Strategically speaking, there is no greater advantage than shared gear with your allies. The two World Wars solidified this process: when our allies ran out of artillery, bullets, and airplane parts, we couldn’t do anything to help them even though we generally had a surplus of those items. 

Shortly after World War II ended, NATO was formed (1949) and one of the tasks they took on was standardizing military arms across member nations. The most common examples were small arms calibers, such as the 9x19mm, 5.56x45mm, and other NATO standards. 

Many other weapons systems have been standardized since then, and the model is so effective that it’s unlikely to ever change. The tactical advantage (and strategic advantage) is that the different militaries are using shared technologies. Their aircraft are all using the same missiles, the same bombs, the same cannon ammunition, and the same fuel. In fact, so many nations operate U.S. made aircraft that the capabilities and tactics are all shared. 

Think about this: with so many foreign allies operating the F-16, our tactical profiles are shared, as are our operating procedures. A flight of Polish F-16s or Danish F-16s can fly with our units, can aerially refuel behind out tankers, and fairly seamlessly operate with the U.S. 

Operational Efficiency

There is no questioning that sharing similar equipment and processes is a solid win. It does unequivocally improve efficiency and streamlines logistical concerns. 

By pooling together resources and expertise, states participating in IAC programs optimize the development of military armaments, and more importantly, streamline procurement. How long does it take to develop a fighter or attack aircraft from the ground up? Who even knows. For a small country, never. 

But by investing in armaments that are already established, they are tapping into an established, strong supply chain.

Make sure to read up on Foreign Military Sales and ITAR.

Cooperative agreements often lead to the standardization of military equipment and procedures. This uniformity facilitates interoperability among allied forces, making joint operations smoother and more efficient. Standardization also simplifies logistics, maintenance, and training, as personnel can operate and support common systems. When a partner nation adopts an established weapon system, such as the T-6 Texan II, they are essentially tapping into the entire supply chain for this fantastic 5-million hour aircraft. 

International collaborations can result in economies of scale in production. By manufacturing larger quantities of standardized equipment, member states can reduce per-unit costs and improve production efficiency. This cost-saving allows for more extensive procurement and better allocation of defense budgets.

Political and Diplomatic Gains

Ultimately, IAC programs offer a net gain politically and diplomatically. Collaborating on defense projects fosters close diplomatic relationships between nations, building trust and mutual respect. After all, what is there that is more important than national defense?

Nations will align security goals and strategies when they work on military projects together. The strategy is to ultimately create a unified front against potential aggressors and common threats. 

Challenges and Considerations

Numerous factors influence FMS through collaborative programs, but it's crucial to understand that they are not inherently linked. FMS is managed by the Department of State, with the President having the final authority on all sales.

Collaborative programs are primarily R&D initiatives designed to assist both us and our allies. Many of our allies have similar needs and missions, making it logical for our researchers to work together. However, R&D does not necessarily dictate foreign sales, even though that is often the ultimate goal.

The Department of Defense (DoD) prioritizes projects and partnerships based on their benefits to U.S. defense technologies and interests. Investing in projects that do not advance our defense capabilities is not practical. While allied nations are important, U.S. interests come first. Nonetheless, equipping our allies with compatible weapon systems enhances interoperability.

Parting Thoughts

Greenwood Aerospace has a long history of supporting foreign allied governments through FMS contracts. We are an ITAR-registered export compliant company, and we believe that arming our allies is an important part of the overall national security strategy. 

It’s important to understand that FMS contracts don’t end when an aircraft is sold to a foreign country. Once the partner owns the aircraft or other equipment, they need significant, ongoing support. This may be in the form of: 

It’s hard to coordinate all of these moving parts. The aviation landscape is made up of parts suppliers, logistics channels, and maintenance consultants, but it can be difficult to connect all the dots to form a comprehensive package. 

That’s where Greenwood Aerospace gets involved. As a leader in military and defense contracting, our team can deliver the logistical support and coordination you need. 

Contact contact@governmentprocurement.com to learn more about what Greenwood Aerospace can do for you.