the military materiel or services transferred. These relationships are the most cost-effective and ef - ficient means of achieving strate - gic and operational advantages over potential adversaries globally and regionally. By leveraging FMS cases, the United States can create a more permissive operational environment in response to international crises, check the encroachment of adversar - ies on U.S. and Partner Nation inter - ests, and eliminate potential threats by precluding adversary opportunity. By taking a deliberate, effects- based approach to FMS case initia - tion, SCOs and FMSOs can yield valu - able strategic outcomes despite an increasingly constrained fiscal envi - ronment. USG-sourced solutions to Partner Nation challenges provide the greatest opportunity and flexibility to initiate FMS cases that intentionally establish or strengthen political and military relationships. Situational awareness, deliberate planning, and precision engagement by SCOs and FMSOs are the keys to success. Ulti - mately, FMS cases enable the United States to build trust, promote coop - eration, and defend the common in - terests of itself and its allies globally— and well into the future.
was the deputy command country manager for Iraq in the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate. Prior to that, he served consecutively as a Department of State Fellow for the Bureaus of African and Western Hemisphere Affairs in support of U.S. Embassies in Ghana, Tanzania, and Belize. Larkins holds an M.A. in International Studies from Texas State University. The author can be contacted at CairoLarkins-Internationaffairs@outlook.com . The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the Department of War. Reproduction or reposting of articles from Defense Acquisition magazine should credit the authors and the magazine.
By leveraging USG supply, FMS officials can proactively improve po - litical-military relations, foster coop - eration, and address Partner Nations’ concerns in a timely and effective manner by the following actions: • Engage in early discussions with Partner Nations about cost, deliv - ery schedule, and sustainment. • Discuss solutions to Partner Nation challenges promptly without wait - ing for them to conduct indepen - dent market research. • Advocate for USG platforms, equip - ment, or systems that fill capability gaps while remaining compliant with U.S. laws and regulations. • Establish new, or reconstitute strained, political-military rela - tionships by delivering low-cost, high-impact FMS solutions to Part - ner Nation requirements with min - imum administrative delay. Summary FMS cases are a key by which the United States can develop, maintain, and extend effective political-military relationships with international part - ners and allies. The value of these re - lationships far exceeds the value of
Related Resources
– (LOG 0680) Introduction to International Logistics (Online Training) – (INT 2300V) International Acquisition Planning (Virtual Instructor Led Training)
– (INT 3800V) Managing International Defense Acquisition (Virtual Instructor Led Training)
LARKINS is a Weapons System Liaison Officer to the Republic of Korea Air Force. Formerly, he
MDAP Program Manager Changes With the assistance of the Office of the Secretary of War, Defense Acquisition magazine publishes the names of incoming and outgoing program managers for major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs). This announcement lists such changes of leadership for both civilian and military program managers reported for the months of April through May 2026. ARMY None NAVY/MARINE CORPS AIR FORCE None FOURTH ESTATE None Capt. Jonathan Connelly was selected as Program Manager for SSN(X) New Attack Submarine Program Office (PMS 351) on April 2, 2026.
48 DEFENSE ACQUISITION MAGAZINE | MAY – JUNE 2026
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