DSCA Security Assistance Management Manual
  - Customer Guide -
 

 

 
What Happens First?
Before we can help determine what Security Assistance options you may have, we will need to have a good idea of your long-range defense plans---which calls for some type of “needs assessment.” Obviously, your government will determine and plan for your own security objectives based on your unique priorities. Your assessment should result in a list of capabilities or specific items that you determine are necessary to meet your country’s defense needs.

You may wish us to assist with your needs assessment and planning. If you want this type of help, you should work with the SAO or equivalent USG representative in your country. Some extensive and specialized services, such as survey teams, take time to arrange and may require an FMS case. Some of the areas in which U.S. assistance may be available include: 
Survey Teams. A DoD team of experts may be useful in assessing your defense needs. These survey teams may precede a formal LOR from your government for any weapons, services, training, or construction that the survey team identifies as advisable. Each Implementing Agency (IA) can provide you with more information on the types of survey teams that might apply to your program. 
U.S. Defense Industry Liaison. The SAO is the principal point of contact in country for U.S. defense industry representatives and plays a key role in facilitating the exchange and flow of information between representatives of your country and the U.S. defense industry. The SAO must maintain neutrality between competing U.S. firms and cannot endorse one specific American product over another. In some cases, the USG, your country, and U.S. defense industry may decide to create a “Team International” (TI) to better define your program requirements. The SAO can advise you when to request a Team International. Information about this concept may be found by clicking on Team International. 
Other Sources. The SAO is available to help gather information regarding U.S. defense goods and services. In addition, your representatives may wish to discuss specific programs with your country desk officers at DSCA or in the U.S. Military Departments (MILDEPs). If you have no SAO in your country and are unaware of who you should contact, you can always contact DSCA via our website at http://www.dsca.mil . There are numerous websites where information is available to assist you in addressing your needs. We have compiled a list of websites to use as a starting point. To access the list, click Appendix 1, WEBSITE LINKS. Although a wealth of information is available via other sources or by using various Internet search engines, the websites included in the list provide a great source for "pre-LOR" information.
While there are several options available to address your security needs, the most common is the FMS process. The remainder of this guide assumes that your “needs assessment” has determined that an FMS strategy is the best solution for your requirement.

 

Last Updated
7-28-06