Appropriateness of Procedures for Leasing Defense Property to Foreign Governments

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee requested a review of the implementation of the defense property leasing authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 2667 which enables the Secretaries of the military departments to lease nonexcess property when it is determined to be in the public interest or will promote national defense. Originally, the law was intended to aid the industrial facilities standby programs of the military services after World War II by authorizing the lease of defense plant production equipment and real property to domestic private enterprises. However, in recent times, the law has been used to transfer military equipment to foreign countries.