U.S. Corrosion program and international defense cooperation

Abstract

Unites States law expresses the need for international defense cooperation, and articulates the nation's policy to enter into agreements with friendly nations for the exchange of data, research, development, production, procurement and logistics support. Under the aegis of the law and in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) International Cooperation Directorate, the DoD Corrosion Policy and Oversight Directorate had instituted a program to exchange material degradation and sustainment information and capabilities with our allied nations. The important feature of these agreements, as expressed in the law, is their flexibility regarding content and economic benefit of information, products and services that are exchanged. Australia is the first ally with whom the U.S. entered into an information exchange agreement (IEA). The U.S. has continued to pursue IEAs with its allies and currently has executed such agreements with four additional nations. This paper describes the DoD Corrosion Policy and Oversight Directorate's objectives and approaches to achieving the intent of the law and, more important, the mutual benefits of such exchanges. It describes the specific information, capabilities and services that are already being exchanged with our allies. The paper also suggests added areas where we can provide assistance, and where we can benefit from other nations' expertise, capabilities and facilities.