FY2024 NDAA: Security Cooperation (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Sept. 27, 2023 |
| Report Number |
IN12256 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Christina L. Arabia; Ilana Krill |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) broadly defines “security cooperation” (also known as SC) as
department interactions with foreign security establishments to build security relationships that promote
specific U.S. security interests, develop allied and partner nation military and security capabilities for
self-defense and multinational operations, and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access
to allied and partner nations. DOD policy states that by encouraging and enabling cooperation between
the United States and partner nations to achieve strategic objectives, security cooperation programs are a
key tool for achieving U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. DOD-administered SC
programs (authorized under Title 10, U.S.C.) and DOD-implemented State Department security assistance
programs (authorized under Title 22, U.S.C.) execute SC activities. In addition to grant-based programs,
SC encompasses the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and enables U.S. and partner nation
collaboration on defense articles. For more background on SC, see CRS In Focus IF11677, Defense
Primer: DOD “Title 10” Security Cooperation.
The House- and Senate-passed versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
(FY2024 NDAA; H.R. 2670; S. 2226) include multiple proposals pertaining to SC programs, such as SC
workforce development, specific regional initiatives, and the export of U.S. defense equipment. Table 1
summarizes selected provisions from H.R. 2670 and S. 2226.
