The Department of Defense (DoD) has entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) with the Federal Ministry of Defence for Germany. This agreement aims to allow both nations to acquire industrial resources swiftly to meet defense needs, address unexpected disruptions, and enhance supply chain resilience.

The SOSA was signed on October 22, 2024, by Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, representing the United States, and Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, Head of the Directorate-General for Equipment within Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence. The signing took place in Brussels, Belgium.

"This SOSA is an important step forward and further strengthens the robust defense partnership between Germany and the United States," stated Dr. LaPlante.

Under this arrangement, both countries express their intent to support each other's priority delivery requests for critical national defense resources procurement. The U.S. will provide assurances under its Defense Priorities and Allocations System through determinations by the DoD and rating authorizations by the Department of Commerce. In return, Germany will establish a government-industry Code of Conduct where German firms voluntarily agree to prioritize support for U.S. needs.

SOSAs are designed to bolster interoperability and serve as tools for creating a resilient global defense ecosystem involving the U.S., its partners, and allies. These arrangements facilitate working groups' formation, communication mechanisms establishment, process streamlining within the DoD, and proactive measures against anticipated supply chain issues during peacetime or conflict.

Germany becomes the nineteenth partner in such agreements with the United States. Other countries involved include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, India, Israel, Italy Japan Latvia Lithuania Netherlands Norway Singapore Spain South Korea Sweden UK

For more information on SOSAs visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/security-of-supply.html

About OASD IBP:

The Office of Assistant Secretary Defense Industrial Base Policy collaborates with domestic international partners ensuring secure resilient industrial base warfighter future