Order directs agencies to prioritize U.S. arms sales and defense production

The Departments of War, State, and Commerce must carry out an arms-transfer strategy focused on American production and selected foreign partners. The strategy covers U.S. arms sales and transfers, including weapons and platforms the Secretary of War considers important to the National Security Strategy. Partners should be prioritized when they invest in self-defense, support U.S. plans or operations, or contribute to U.S. economic security. Implementation must follow existing law and depends on available appropriations. Within 60 to 120 days of February 6, 2026, the departments must submit an industry plan, a sales catalog, advocacy recommendations, and identified sales opportunities.

The Departments of War, State, and Commerce must streamline arms-sale reviews while maintaining coordination and end-use safeguards. The changes cover Foreign Military Sales, Direct Commercial Sales, enhanced end-use monitoring, third-party transfers, and congressional notices for proposed arms transfers. The Secretary of War must consult with the Secretary of State on delegated section 36(a) functions and with the Office of Management and Budget for certain functions. The Secretary of State must notify the Secretary of War before formally notifying Congress about specified proposed arms transfers. Any effort to reduce third-party-transfer steps must consider technology-security risks. Within 60 to 90 days of February 6, 2026, agencies must review or create the required processes, criteria, and advance-notice procedures.

The Departments of War, State, and Commerce must create a task force and publish quarterly arms-transfer performance metrics. The task force includes senior officials from the three departments and may include military acquisition officials and other implementing agencies. The task force must track progress, review whether sales match the strategy, and support faster contracting for priority Foreign Military Sales cases. Published metrics must cover Foreign Military Sales case development and execution and Commerce and State export-license decisions. The order creates no enforceable right or benefit and preserves agency authority under existing law. The task force must be established within 30 days of February 6, 2026. It must meet quarterly or as needed, and metric publication must begin within 120 days.