The US military wants to bring more commercial innovation into its ranks, and that’s a smart move! But there’s a crucial, often-overlooked challenge: getting these cutting-edge tools into the hands of our global allies. Think of it as the “second Valley of Death” – our slow, outdated defense export system that struggles to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
Why does this matter? Imagine smaller nations facing powerful adversaries. Emerging technologies like advanced drones, AI sensors, and decentralized networks offer them a game-changing chance to narrow the military gap. Ukraine’s genius in adapting commercial drones for battlefield use is a prime example, showing how readily available tech can dramatically shift tactical balances.
Historically, our Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system was designed for massive, traditional weapons systems – think fighter jets or tanks. It wasn’t built for quickly evaluating and transferring agile, commercial innovations or “non-programs of record” (NPORs). This means promising tech often gets stuck in bureaucratic limbo, unable to reach partners who desperately need it. Innovative companies also face a maze of complex, opaque export licensing rules that deter them from international markets.
The good news is that both Congress and the administration are starting to address this. We’ve seen the creation of a new office to support NPOR acquisitions, clearer guidance from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, streamlined review of transfer lists, and a new public portal for export license applications, boosting transparency.
These steps are welcome, but they’re just the beginning. To truly harness emerging tech for global security and maintain US influence, we need deeper, structural reforms. The question isn’t whether these technologies matter – they clearly do. It’s whether our export system can move them at the speed required by today’s rapidly evolving security landscape. Modernizing this system isn’t just about empowering allies; it’s vital for America’s own national security and economic competitiveness.
Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/emerging-tech-allies-and-the-npor-flexibility-we-need/
