Guide
How long does it take to implement a Foreign Military Sales case after acceptance?
After the purchaser signs and accepts, financial implementation is posted when the is received, and only then does the process .
How long does it take to implement a Foreign Military Sales case after acceptance?
Where the time goes at partner acceptance
To officially accept the case, the international partner must fill in the “purchaser provided information” at the bottom of the cover page, sign the case by the , and send signed copies to the and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Accounting in Indianapolis (DFAS–SCA). The international partner must also send the (as reflected on the ) to DFAS–SCA. Payment must be in U.S. dollars and may be paid via check or wire transfer. Distribution instructions are found in the following the .
Where the time goes at implementation
After receiving the , DFAS–SCA releases Obligation Authority (OA) to the cognizant . OA is forwarded via to the unique MILDEP management financial computer systems. The OA is evidence of proper case acceptance, including receipt of , and signals that the case may be implemented. OA is not money, but it provides financial authority allowing the case manager to implement the case. Upon receipt of OA, the may begin to incur obligations against the case (i.e., negotiate a contract, submit requisitions, schedule training, etc.). There is no standard metric or time frame for case implementation; however, it is generally accomplished within ten to fifteen days.
References
SAMM
- SAMM C5.6.13.2
- SAMM C6.1.3.1
- SAMM C6.1.1 — Routine Case Implementation.
Related
Initial Deposit
Funds that are required to cover outlays and/or deliveries that are anticipated to occur before the receipt of the first quarterly payment. These funds must accompany the accepted Letter of Offer and Acceptance.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Implementing Agency (IA)
The military department or defense agency responsible for the execution of military assistance programs. With respect to FMS, the military department or defense agency assigned responsibility by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to prepare an LOA and to implement an FMS case. The implementing agency is responsible for the overall management of the actions that will result in delivery of the materials or services set forth in the LOA that was accepted by a foreign country or international organization.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
LOA — Letter of Offer and Acceptance
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
SCO — Security Cooperation Organization
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
DSCA — Defense Security Cooperation Agency
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) →
DFAS-IN — Defense Finance and Accounting Service - Indianapolis
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Acceptance Date
The date on which an authorized representative of the foreign partner signed the LOA document.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
FMS — Foreign Military Sale
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
DSAMS — Defense Security Assistance Management System
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Defense Security Assistance Management Systems (DSAMS) →
Security Cooperation Organization (SCO)
A Department of Defense element that is part of the United States Diplomatic mission located in a foreign country to carry out security assistance and security cooperation management functions under the supervision and coordination authority of the senior defense official/defense attaché.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
OED — Offer Expiration Date
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Security Cooperation
Activities undertaken by the DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. It includes all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered security assistance programs, that: build defense and security relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, including all international armaments cooperation activities and security assistance activities; develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to host nations.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Payment Schedule
List of dollar amounts and when they are due from the foreign customer. The payment schedule is included in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) presented to the customer. After acceptance of the LOA, the payment schedule generally serves as the basis for billing to the customer. Changes in the estimated costs of an Foreign Military Sales case may require changes in the accompanying payment schedule.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Case
A USG Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), and any subsequent Amendment or Modification, that is the legal instrument used by the USG to transfer defense articles and defense services under the FMS program. See also "FMS" and "LOA."
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Security Assistance (SA)
A group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services by grant, lease, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives, and those that are funded and authorized through the Department of State to be administered by Department of Defense/Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which are considered part of security cooperation.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Defense Integrated Financial System (DIFS)
A financial system providing DoD-level financial management functions for the security assistance (SA) program. This includes centralized Foreign Military Sales (FMS) trust fund accounting, foreign customer billing, and financial management reporting. DIFS consolidates FMS data from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other implementing agencies, and provides efficient accountability for oversight of the financial and program management aspects of SA.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Military Department (MILDEP)
One of the departments within the DoD created by the National Security Act of 1947, as amended. The Military Departments are: the Department of the Air Force, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Navy.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026