Foreign Materiel Acquisition and Exploitation

The Foreign Materiel Acquisition and Exploitation program, managed by the Air Force, supports military services and defense agencies in their Foreign Material Program activities. Its primary objective is to enhance weapon system capabilities through the acquisition and exploitation of foreign materiel. This involves a comprehensive process that includes reviewing additional acquisition and exploitation opportunities on a quarterly basis, ensuring that execution is reprioritized as necessary to align with evolving strategic needs.

A key goal of this program is to facilitate operational systems development by upgrading systems that have already been fielded or are approved for full-rate production. This aligns with the broader objective of maintaining technological superiority by understanding and potentially countering foreign technologies. The program also covers civilian pay expenses necessary for managing and executing these activities, supplementing other related elements.

The program operates on a structured schedule where requirements and funding requests are submitted, validated, prioritized, and executed annually. Each fiscal year sees the approval and publication of an updated Foreign Material Program Plan, which guides the execution of acquisition and exploitation activities. This systematic approach ensures responsiveness to new opportunities while adhering to strategic priorities set by military services and defense agencies.

The Foreign Materiel Acquisition and Exploitation program plays a crucial role in supporting national defense objectives by leveraging foreign technologies to enhance U.S. military capabilities. Through its structured planning and execution process, it ensures that resources are effectively allocated to address current and future threats, thereby contributing to the readiness and effectiveness of the armed forces.