STEADFAST Act

The STEADFAST Act (S 2265) aims to speed up U.S. defense equipment sales to foreign countries by establishing specific response deadlines for purchase requests (ranging from 45 to 150 days depending on the country's status) and creating streamlined procedures for priority nations. It establishes a Commission to study and recommend improvements to the foreign military sales process, creates a new Assistant Secretary position focused on technology cooperation, and allows U.S. defense companies to begin acquiring long-lead equipment before final contracts are signed. The bill specifically targets faster processing for major allies including Israel, Japan, South Korea, NATO members, major non-NATO allies, and designated major defense partners. These changes directly affect foreign military purchasers, defense contractors, and the Department of Defense's foreign military sales operations.