The US plans to remain the global leader for interoperable defence systems, partnering with allies and friends to develop cutting-edge military capabilities and then exporting them. That is why President Donald Trump sent a high-level delegation to the UK’s Farnborough Airshow this month.
The global defence market has evolved over the course of the past decade and prior US restrictions on arms transfers, including those regarding drones, have not kept up with the changing marketplace. That has created opportunities for China and Russia. Both are attempting to leverage defence sales to strengthen their military capabilities, economies and defence industrial bases — even as civilians in areas of conflict are put at risk because neither China nor Russia factor into their sales end-use monitoring or human rights considerations.
While China and Russia will continue their efforts, the US intends to remain the global partner of choice for defence co-operation. America’s allies know that acquisition of our defence systems brings state-of-the-art capabilities with attractive industrial partnership opportunities.