Incorporated

Policy changes from this SAMM E-Change memo have been incorporated into the SAMM.

DoWD Seal

DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY
2800 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-2800

8/14/2026

 

MEMORANDUM FOR :

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR DEFENSE EXPORTS AND COOPERATION
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY 
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
DIRECTOR, MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTOR, SECURITY COOPERATION ACCOUNTING DIRECTORATE, DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE, INDIANAPOLIS OPERATIONS 
DIRECTOR OF CYBERSECURITY DIRECTORATE AND DEPUTY NATIONAL MANAGER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY

SUBJECT :

Defense Security Cooperation Agency Policy Memorandum 26-104, Updated Guidance for Processing Requests for M-833 and Comparable Depleted Uranium Rounds [SAMM E-Change 870]

REFERENCE :

  1. Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) Section 620J, (22 U.S.C. 2378a) - Depleted Uranium Ammunition
  2. Executive Order 12163, "Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related Functions," September 29, 1979

 

This policy memorandum lends transparency to U.S. Government processes by providing guidance related to processing requests for M-833 and comparable depleted uranium rounds under security cooperation. This memo codifies the guidance in Chapter 3 of the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM).

The SAMM acknowledges that M-833 depleted uranium ammunition and comparable anti-tank rounds containing depleted uranium penetrating components may be transferred under security assistance to approved end-users. These end-users are specified by law Ref(a), which allows for additional end-users where a Presidential national security interest determination has been completed. This policy provides guidance and codifies the process for submitting partner requests for depleted uranium rounds for Presidential Determination. It also updates guidance in the SAMM to ensure release approval is in place prior to 36(b) Congressional Notification, where required.

If you have questions on this memorandum, please contact DSCA (Office of International Operations, Weapons Directorate (IOPS/WPN)) at dsca.ncr.iops.list.wpns-all-members@mail.mil. Please reference the DSCA Policy Number and Memo Subject. For general questions, please contact DSCA (Office of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, Execution Policy and Analysis Directorate (SPP/EPA)) at dsca.ncr.spp.mbx.epa@mail.mil.

Hussam Bader 
Acting Assistant Director 
Strategy, Plans, and Policy

ATTACHMENT : 
SAMM E-Change 870 - Updates to Processing Requests for M-833 and Comparable Depleted Uranium Rounds

Attachment 1: Security Assistance Management Manual E-Change 870 
POLICY GUIDANCE FOR SUBMITTING PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION FOR M-833 AND COMPARABLE DEPLETED URANIUM ROUNDS

 

  1. Add Section C3.7.9. "Release for M-833 and Comparable Depleted Uranium Rounds" as follows:

    C3.7.9. Release for M-833 and Comparable Depleted Uranium Rounds. Upon receipt of a Letter of Request (LOR) that includes M-833 depleted uranium and comparable anti-tank rounds containing depleted uranium penetrating components (see Section C4.4.9.), the Implementing Agency (IA) shall notify DSCA (Office of International Operations, Weapons Directorate (IOPS/WPN)) at dsca.ncr.iops-wpns.list@mail.mil. This notification shall include a clear and concise description of the articles to include quantities and provide the MILDEP endorsement for the transfer. An LOR Advisory should be issued by DSCA IOPS/WPN in accordance with Section C5.2.6.1. for articles of a sensitive nature; this memorandum should further specify when there is no standing authority for the intended recipient. The IA should clearly describe the depleted uranium rounds in the State description in DSAMS for State's review on the daily State FMS list (see C5.6.11.8.1.), as well as in the "Sensitivity of Technology" portion of any required Congressional Notification transmittal documents (see C5.F15. and C5.F16.).

  2. Add Section C3.7.9.1. 'Presidential Determination Requests" as follows:

    C3.7.9.1. Presidential Determination Requests. If no standing authority exists, a Presidential Determination is required to support the transfer. The IA shall develop a request package for submission to DSCA (IOPS/WPN) at dsca.ncr.iops-wpns.list@mail.mil for processing. The request package must include a clear and concise description of the articles for transfer and quantity; the MILDEP/Defense Agency endorsement; Country Team Assessment; and Geographical Combatant Command (CCMD) endorsement. Upon approval by DSCA Director, the request package will be coordinated with the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition & Sustainment (USW(A&S)), the Under Secretary of War for Policy (USW(P)), and the Department of State PM/RSAT. The Department of State (State) serves as the U.S. Government lead for coordinating the Presidential Determination approval through the National Security Council, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 2378.

  3. Update Section C4.4.9. "M-833 and Comparable Depleted Uranium Rounds" as follows:

    C4.4.9. M-833 and Comparable Depleted Uranium Rounds. FAA, section 620J (22 U.S.C. 2378a) allows the sale of M-833 depleted uranium ammunition and comparable anti-tank rounds containing a depleted uranium penetrating component to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, Major Non-NATO Allies, and countries for which a Presidential national security interest determination has been completed. Such a determination (Presidential Determination (PD) No. 94-37 of July 19, 1994) has been completed for the M-833 round for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and the M-829 round for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. An LOR Advisory should be issued by DSCA (IOPS/WPN) in accordance with Section C5.2.6.1. for articles of a sensitive nature. See Chapter 3 for submission of Presidential Determination requests. Approval must be in place prior to Congressional Notification of the case, see Table C5.T20.

  4. Add the following row to Table C5.T20.:

    Releasability Policy

    Requirements Before Congressional Notification Package Submission to DSCA

    Additional Requirements Before Letter of Offer and Acceptance ePackage Submission to DSCA

    Depleted Uranium Rounds

    Approval authority under Foreign Assistance Act (FAA), Section 620J (22.U.S.C. 2378a) or by Presidential Determination (P.D.).

    Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS) State description and Congressional Notification transmittal documents must include depleted uranium rounds.