PRESIDENTIAL POLICY DIRECTIVE/PPD-27. SUBJECT: United States Conventional Arms Transfer Policy: “Conventional weapons have continued to play a decisive role in armed conflict in the early 21st century and will remain legitimate instruments for the defense and security policy of responsible nations for the foreseeable future. In the hands of hostile or irresponsible state and non-state actors, however, these weapons can exacerbate international tensions, foster instability, inflict substantial damage, enable transnational organized crime, and be used to violate universal human rights. Therefore, global conventional arms transfer patterns have significant implications for U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, and the U.S. policy for conventional arms transfer has an important role in shaping the international security environment. United States conventional arms transfer policy supports transfers that meet legitimate security requirements of our allies and partners in support of our national security and foreign policy interests. At the same time, the policy promotes restraint, both by the United States and other suppliers, in transfers of weapons systems that may be destabilizing or dangerous to international peace and security.

Goals of U.S. Conventional Arms Transfer Policy

United States conventional arms transfer policy serves the following U.S. national security and foreign policy goals:1. Ensuring U.S. military forces, and those of allies and partners, continue to enjoy technological superiority over potential adversaries.1. Ensuring U.S. military forces, and those of allies and partners, continue to enjoy technological superiority over potential adversaries.

1. Ensuring U.S. military forces, and those of allies and partners, continue to enjoy technological superiority over potential adversaries.

2. Promoting the acquisition of U.S. systems to increase interoperability with allies and partners, lower the unit costs for all, and strengthen the industrial base.

3. Enhancing the ability of allies and partners to deter or defend themselves against aggression.

4. Encouraging the maintenance and expansion of U.S. security partnerships with those who share our interests, and regional access in areas critical to U.S. interests.

5. Promoting regional stability, peaceful conflict resolution, and arms control.

6. Preventing the proliferation of conventional weapons that could be used as delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction.

7. Promoting cooperative counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and other homeland security priorities.

8. Combating transnational organized crime and related threats to national security.

9. Supporting democratic governance and other related U.S. foreign policy objectives.

10. Ensuring that arms transfers do not contribute to human rights violations or violations of international humanitarian law….”