International Activities

PE 1001004F: International Activities is a program element within the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support budget. It focuses on establishing, sustaining, expanding, and enhancing mutually beneficial international partnerships. The primary goal is to implement air, space, and cyber International Armament Cooperation (IAC) agreements that support both Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) objectives. These agreements aim to improve U.S. and allied conventional defense capabilities, accelerate the availability of defense systems, address capability gaps, and promote interoperability through cooperative acquisition, production, and logistics partnerships.

International partnership activities are a core component of this program, with objectives centered on advocating, developing, and supporting DAF activities to build global partnerships aligned with national security objectives and the National Defense Strategy (NDS). Funding supports DAF participation in NATO and DoD forums to harmonize requirements and promote interoperability. Technical assessments, requirements development, and interoperability activities are included, with efforts focused on enhancing relationships with established partners such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, NATO, and the UK. The program also seeks to build stronger ties with countries like India, Poland, and Spain, and to establish new IAC relationships with emerging partners in regions such as South America and Asia.

International Armaments Cooperation (IAC) agreement activities involve identifying, developing, negotiating, concluding, and implementing bilateral and multilateral agreements that meet DAF and DoD goals in air, space, and cyber domains. These activities provide access to critical geography, remote test ranges, advanced R&D facilities, and enable cost sharing and economies of scale. The agreements support warfighter needs and enhance interoperability in areas such as secure communications, situational awareness, materials science, robotics, missile warning, satellite communications, quantum communication, biometrics, hypersonics, alternative energy, and more. The objective is to pursue new agreements and manage ongoing ones to address evolving strategic requirements and technological advancements.

Specialized exchange initiatives, such as the Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program and the Administrative and Professional Exchange Program, are managed under this program element. The goal is to facilitate two-year tours for military and civilian personnel between DAF and partner government laboratories and facilities. These exchanges foster technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development, enhancing the collective RDT&E capabilities of the U.S. and its allies. Program management includes oversight, execution, and selection of participants, with continued support for current and future placements.

The program is funded exclusively through this line item, with no other program funding supporting these activities. The budget reflects a modest increase over the previous year due to a greater need for air, space, and cyber international agreements that support interoperability and commonality with international partners. Congressional adjustments have resulted in minor reductions compared to previous budget requests, but the overall funding supports the planned expansion and enhancement of international cooperation.

All activities under PE 1001004F: International Activities are conducted in compliance with statutory provisions, legal authorities, fiscal constraints, technology transfer controls, intellectual property rights, third party transfer provisions, equitability criteria, industrial base factors, political-military interests, and the National Defense Strategy. The program supports more than 680 current bilateral and multilateral agreements, ensuring that the DAF remains engaged in solving capability gaps, developing materiel solutions, and building interoperability with international partners.