CONVENTIONAL ARMS TRANSFER POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 4, 2007
• Sequence Number: 4
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
?
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON!
NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION
DIRECTIVE NtWBER
CONVENTIONAL ARMS TRANSFER POLICY
The challenges and_hostility toward fundamental United States
interests, and the interests of its friends and allies, have
grown significantly in: recent years. These trends threaten
stability in many regions-and. impede progress toward greater
political and economic development.
The United States cannot defend the free world's interests
alone. The. United. States must, in today's world, not only
strengthen its own military capabilities, but be prepared to
help its friends~_and-allies, to strengthen theirs through the
transfer of conventional arms and other forms of security
assistance. Such-transfers complement. American security
commitments and. serve important United States objectives.
? Prudently pursued, arms transfers can strengthen us.
The-United States-therefore views the transfer of conventional
arms and other defense-articles and services as an essential
element of its global--defense posture and an indispensable
component-of its foreign-policy. Applied judiciously, arms
transfers can:
- help 'deter aggression by enhancing the states of
preparedness-of---allies and friends;
- increase,-our own-armed forces:' .effectiveness by
improving-the- ability af_-the United States, in concert with
its friends and allies,-to project power in response to threats
posed by-mutual adversaries; t
-- -support efforts to foster the; ability of our forces to
deploy and operate with-those of our friends and allies, thereby
--- strengthening and-revita-lizing our mutual security relationships;
=- -- demonstrate-that the United States has an enduring
interest in the security of its friends and partners, and that
it will-not-allow-them to be at a military disadvantage;
0-
Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
 Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
foster regional and,,internal? stability, thus en-
? _ --
couraging peaceful resolution of disputes and evolutionary
change; and
-- help to enhance-United States defense production
capabilities and efficiency.
Attainment of these objectives in turn requires effective
United States Government control and direction over arms
transfers. Because of the diversity of United States security
interests, this Administration will tailor its approach to
arms transfer requests-to specific situations and exercise
sufficient flexibility-to respond-promptly to changes affecting
the mutual interests of the United States and its allies and
friends. We will: review- such requests with care.
The United States. will evaluate requests primarily in terms
of their net. contribution- to enhanced deterrence and defense.
It will accord. high priority to requests from its major
alliance partners and to-those nations with whom it has
friendly and cooperate-ve.security relationships. In making
arms transfer decisions. the United States will give due
-- consideration to- a--broad range of factors including:
the degree-.to which the transfer responds appropri-
? ately to the military.threats confronting the recipient;
-- whether the transfer will enhance the recipient's
capability to participate in collective security efforts
with the United. States;..
- whether-the-transfer will promote mutual interests
in countering--externally-supported aggression;
-- whether-the-transfer is consistent with United States
interests in-maintaining stability within regions where friends
of. the United=States may.-,have differing objectives;
-, whether-the.--transfer is compatible with the needs of
UnitedStatea-forces,-recognizing that occasions will arise
when other-nations'may require scarce items on an emergency
basis;
-- whether the'-proposed equipment transfer can be
absorbed by the--recipient without overburdening its military
-support sy-s-tem-or. financial resources; and
-- whether any detrimental effects of the transfer are
more than counterbalanced by positive contributions to United
? States-interests and objectives.
Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
 Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
?
All requests will be consideied on a case-by-case basis.
Those for coproduction, or the transfer of'sensitive or
advanced technology, will receive special scrutiny, taking
into account economic and industrial factors for both the
United States and other participating countries, the importance
of arms-cooperation with NATO and other close friends and
allies, potential third party transfers, and the protection
of sensitive technology and military capabilities.
Particular care must be taken to avoid any adverse impact on
allied and friendly nations by encouraging them to assume
burdens for which their economies are ill-prepared. Therefore,
careful consideration will be given to lower-cost alternatives
including adaptations of military equipment for sale abroad,
recognizing that first-line-systems may not suit the needs of
many countries. This consideration of the full range of avail-
able American alternatives will take place at every stage of
review.
United States Government representatives overseas will be
expected to provide the- same courtesies and assistance to
firms that have obtained licenses to market items on the
United-States Munitions List as they would to those marketing
other American products.
The policy changes--being initiated should not be seen as
heralding a period of unrestrained military transfers. The
United States retains a genuine interest in arms transfer
restraint and remains prepared to consider specific proposals
directed toward that end. There has been, however, little or
no interest in arms transfer limitations manifested by the
Soviet Union, or the majority of other arms producing nations.
In theeabsence-of_such interest, the United States will not
jeopardize its own security needs through a program of uni-
lateral restraint. At the same time,`srecognizing the special
robe--that-: its -major_allies can play in strengthening common
friends,-it will seek to develop complementary policies with
those allies.
7 `
The realities of today's world demand.that we pursue a sober,
responsible-,-and balanced arms transfer policy, a policy that
will advance our-national security interests and those of the
free world. Both in addressing decisions as to specific
transfers and opportunities for restraint among producers,
we will be guided by principle as well as practical necessity.
We will deal with the world as it is, rather than as we would
like it to be.
Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
 Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6
This directive supersedes Presidential Directive No. 13
of May 13, 1977, and the Conventional Arms Transfer Policy
Statement-by the President of May 19, 1977, which are
hereby rescinded.
I
Approved For Release 2007/09/04: CIA-RDP84B00049R000701810004-6