About DMAG

Our goal is to promote reciprocal defense equipment cooperation and defense trade between the U.S. and the DMAG nations.

From Luncheon to Global Forum

The Attaches Group’s existence started in 1979 when embassies’ Defense Procurement and Defense Cooperation representatives from MOU countries came together for lunch. For several years, it was a monthly luncheon club hosted by one of the members with guest speakers from the U.S. Government or industry.

Strategic Objectives:

  • Reduce obstacles to reciprocal defense trade and defense materiel cooperation with the U.S. including reforms related to Foreign Sales (FMS and DCS);
  • Expand international business development (IBD) opportunities;
  • Foster integrated global defense supply chains;
  • Promote the use of research and development as well as production capabilities available in the DMAG community;
  • Improve standardization and enhance interoperability and;
  • Increase awareness of RDP agreements and the benefits for the US and DMAG member nations through our strong network of allies, partners and industries.

Priorities

  • Contribute to efforts to strengthen industrial base cooperation between the U.S. and the DMAG member nations, supporting co-development, co-production and co-sustainment or warfighter capabilities between the U.S. and the DMAG member nations;
  • Contribute to efforts to promote competitive international solutions to meet DoW’s capability requirements;
  • Contribute to efforts to reform Foreign Defense Sales procedures (Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales) in support of international armaments cooperation, and coordinate these activities with the Foreign Procurement Group;
  • Contribute to efforts by providing ‘customer’s perspective’ to improve the current U.S. export control system as it pertains to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR);
  • Contribute to efforts to co-develop and implement information security and cyber security standards, and;
  • Advise the U.S. Congress and relevant U.S. government stakeholders on laws and policies that impact reciprocal market access and defense supply chains.

Advocating Fair Defense Procurement Policies

DMAG is very active in fighting overreaching Buy American, mobilization issues, and industrial protection restrictions introduced by Congress in its annual authorization and appropriation bills. The Group also acts in support of the Department of Defense in fighting against such restrictions.

Supporting the Foreign Procurement Group

DMAG also collaborates closely in support of the Foreign Procurement Group (FPG). The FPG acts as a bridge between the DSCA and foreign procurement representatives and regularly meets to discuss strategic planning, FMS processes, and procurement transparency. For the participating members, the Group is an essential forum to exchange valuable information and experiences.