Defense Trade State Department Needs To Conduct Assessments To Identify And Address Inefficiencies And Challenges In The Arms Export Process

Defense Trade: State Department Needs to Conduct Assessments to Identify and Address Inefficiencies and Challenges in the Arms Export Process

In controlling the transfer of weapons and related technologies overseas, the U.S. gov¿t. must limit the possibility of sensitive items falling into the wrong hands while allowing legitimate trade to occur. The export control system (ECS) is intended to balance multiple U.S. interests. The ECS is managed by the State Dept., which regulates arms exports, and the Commerce Dept., which regulates dual-use exports that have military and civilian applications. Arms exports require licenses, while dual-use exports do not require licenses. This testimony focuses on export licensing inefficiencies, poor interagency coordination, and limits in State¿s and Commerce's ability to provide a sound basis for changes to the system. Illustrations.