Trump signs executive order to streamline US arms export system

The White House released three defense-related executive orders on April 9, with one foreseeing the reform of the arms export systems.

The executive order on arms exports seeks to boost US defense sales by easing regulatory barriers and fostering closer collaboration between government and industry, Caliber.Az reports citing the White House press release.

It also emphasizes improving "accountability and transparency across the foreign defense sales process" to ensure the timely and reliable delivery of American military equipment to allies, aligning with broader US foreign policy goals.

Key provisions include streamlining the development and execution of foreign arms deals, requiring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to compile a list of “priority partners” for conventional weapons transfers, and prioritizing delivery of critical defense systems to those nations.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf, speaking at the signing ceremony, acknowledged current inefficiencies, saying, “We’re not delivering weapons systems reliably to key allies,” and noted that these reforms aim to resolve systemic delays.

“This executive order directs the Departments of Defense and State, along with other relevant agencies, to overhaul our foreign defense sales system to support American jobs and strengthen our defense manufacturing base,” Scharf added.

The order also mandates a 90-day deadline to present a plan that includes transparency benchmarks for tracking arms sales, and requires the assessment of exportability earlier in the defense acquisition process.

By Nazrin Sadigova