ARMS Act

This bill updates the law that manages the Special Defense Acquisition Fund, which helps the U.S. buy defense items in advance so they can be delivered faster to allies and partners. It aims to cut long wait times, make deliveries more predictable, and support a stronger, more flexible U.S. defense manufacturing base. The bill changes how the fund’s amounts are calculated, using the “actual value” of items, to better match real costs and speed up the process. Lawmakers say this will help allies get needed equipment sooner, improve teamwork in joint missions, and strengthen U.S. credibility abroad.

Key points:

• Who is affected: U.S. defense manufacturers and workers, U.S. allies buying American defense gear, and communities tied to defense production.
• What changes: The fund’s rules are updated to let the government contract earlier for high-demand items and to use actual item values when managing the fund, cutting delays in deliveries.
• Why it matters: Faster deliveries help allies be ready, improve joint operations, and support U.S. industry by allowing larger, more efficient production runs.