International Activities

The International Activities program within the Air Force is designed to foster and enhance international partnerships through air, space, and cyber armament cooperation agreements. These agreements aim to bolster the conventional defense capabilities of the United States and its allies, expedite the availability of defense systems, and address capability gaps. The program emphasizes acquiring, upgrading, and supporting interoperable equipment with allied nations while promoting shared efforts in cost, information, and risk management. By engaging in cooperative acquisition and production partnerships, it seeks to leverage economies of scale and enhance interoperability with international partners.

A key component of this initiative is the International Cooperative Research & Development effort. This supports the Department of the Air Force (DAF) in identifying, negotiating, and managing international agreements. These activities are aligned with statutory provisions and national defense strategies to ensure compliance with legal and fiscal constraints. The program also includes technology assessments, specialized working groups, and exchange programs like the Engineering and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP) and Administrative and Professional Exchange Program (APEP). These efforts are crucial for maintaining strategic global partnerships that align with national security objectives.

The International Partnership Activities focus on advocating for DAF goals by participating in NATO forums to promote harmonization and interoperability. This involves enhancing relationships with countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, NATO members, and emerging partners like Brazil and India. The program aims to optimize interoperability between coalition forces to address current and future global strategic challenges. Increasing support for these activities allows the DAF to strengthen its global partnerships in line with national security objectives.

Additionally, the International Armaments Cooperation (IAC) Agreement Activities are pivotal in providing access to critical geographical locations, remote test ranges, and world-class research facilities. These agreements facilitate cooperation in areas such as secure communications, missile warning systems, quantum communication, hypersonics, autonomous control systems, and more. By pursuing new bilateral and multilateral agreements in air, space, and cyber domains, the DAF aims to meet warfighter needs while enhancing interoperability with international partners.