Embassy of the United States

Offices

Office of Defense Cooperation  

Mission and Responsiblities

The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Netherlands is a joint service office responsible to the U.S. Ambassador and the U.S. European Command. The ODC administers U.S. Security Assistance, Defense Cooperation in Armaments Programs and logistics planning within the Netherlands defense acquisition and logistics environment.

• Security Assistance

Security assistance includes Foreign Military Sales of U.S. defense equipment and training.  Specifically, Security Assistance concerns the transfer of military and economic assistance through sale, grant, lease, or loan to friendly foreign governments. Transfers are carried out under the principle that if they are essential to the security and economic well being of such governments and international organizations, they are equally vital to the security and economic well being of the United States.

• Defense Cooperation in Armaments (DCA)

Defense Cooperation in Armaments includes support for bilateral government-to-government cooperative agreements. DCA efforts include the F-16 Multinational Fighter Program, Joint Strike Fighter System Development and Demonstration Cooperative Agreement, Data Exchange Agreements, Foreign Comparative Testing, Engineer & Scientist Exchanges, and support to U.S. defense industries seeking to do business in the Netherlands.

• Logistics and Agreements

In this function, the ODC serves as the point of contact for United States European Command (USEUCOM), its subordinate units (i.e. USAREUR, USAFE, NAVEUR) and the Government of the Netherlands for establishment, amendment, negotiation and cessation of technical stationing and international implementing agreements. This includes planning and coordinating  bilateral mutual logistics support arrangements to provide for flexible and responsive logistics throughout the spectrum of conflict.

• Areas of Assistance

The primary constituency of ODC Netherlands includes U.S. Department of Defense personnel, the Dutch Chief of Defense staff, the Dutch Defense Materiel Organization, U.S. defense vendors, defense-related industries of the Netherlands wishing to participate in cooperative programs with the U.S., and the Dutch Ministry of Defense. Specific areas in which the ODC may provide assistance include:

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  • National and defense decision-making process
  • Defense procurement regulations and policies
  • Defense budget and procurement plans
  • Defense industries and product lines
  • Points of contact for specific procurement programs
  • Coordination with other U.S. Embassy offices
  • Industrial cooperation requirements
  • Bilateral logistics agreements
  • Data Exchange Agreements
  • Foreign Comparative Testing programs
  • Coordination with other ODC's
  • Assistance for participation in U.S. training programs
  • Third Party Transfer documentation for major defense articles
  • Processing requests for procurement or information requiring release of sensitive technology