On Feb. 8, 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) of the Kingdom of Denmark entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA). The SOSA was signed by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William A. LaPlante, on behalf of the United States and the Director of the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), Lieutenant General Kim Jesper Jørgensen, on behalf of Denmark.
Through this SOSA, the United States and Denmark agree to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defense. The Arrangement will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs.
"This Security of Supply Arrangement with Denmark is very important to the United States," said LaPlante. "Representing another productive step in the U.S.-Danish relationship, the SOSA will undoubtedly strengthen our respective security and resiliency of supply. Our signatures signify not only our pledge to standing together today, but also our commitment to robust collaboration long into the future."
In the Arrangement, the U.S. and Denmark commit intent to support one another's priority delivery requests for procurement of critical national defense resources. The U.S. will provide Denmark some assurances under the U.S. Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), with action by DoD and adjudication by the Department of Commerce. Denmark will in turn establish a government-industry Code of Conduct with its industrial base, where Danish firms will voluntarily agree to make every reasonable effort to provide the U.S. priority support.
Within the global defense industrial base, SOSAs are an important mechanism for DoD to strengthen interoperability with U.S. defense trade partners. The arrangements establish communication mechanisms, institute working groups, streamline DoD processes, and proactively act to allay anticipated supply chain issues in peacetime, emergency, and armed conflict.
Denmark is a long-term strategic partner and ally of the United States, and the U.S.'s twelfth SOSA partner. Other SOSA partners include Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
About the Department of Defense's DPA Title I Office:
Defense Production Act (DPA) Title I, ODASD(IBR), OASD(IBP) is the office responsible for securing and maintaining SOSAs with DOD's foreign partners. DPA Title I's efforts are focused on ensuring the timely availability of critical industrial resources to support national defense requirements through the U.S. Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS). DPAS is a self-operating, legally binding U.S. priority system for industrial goods and services, administered by the Department of Commerce (DOC). In conjunction with DOC and through delegated authorities, DPA Title I oversees the prioritization and allocation of all national security contracts and orders rated under DPAS. DPA Title I's efforts support requirements of stakeholders across the U.S. defense industrial base, including those of DoD components and its delegate agencies, foreign partners, and private industry. Through the execution of its mission, the DPA Title I program ensures the nation is prioritizing the production and procurement of critical defense industrial resources it needs in order to meet domestic and foreign partner national security demands in today's ever-evolving threat environment.
