Army Undersecretary Launches Review to Speed Up Foreign Military Sales

Gabe Camarillo, undersecretary of the Army and a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker, has kickstarted a study to accelerate foreign military sales to partners and allies. 

Speaking at an Association of the U.S. Army conference panel on security cooperation, Camarillo said that the events in Ukraine improved his understanding of how arming other countries advances America’s interests, Breaking Defense reported Friday.

Security cooperation supports alliance-building efforts and the development of manufacturing capacity to meet demand anywhere it is needed, he added.

Camarillo noted that while the Department of State and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency control the FMS process, the Army’s role is poised to grow as the Ukraine conflict drives demand for materials provided by his organization. Camarillo cited a rise in Army-related FMS agreements from $13 billion in fiscal year 2022 to $35.2 billion in fiscal 2023.

According to Camarillo, the Army’s review will build on Department of Defense efforts to streamline arms sales.

In June, industry groups submitted recommendations for FMS modernization to the State Department.