Program Summary
PMS 326, International Fleet Support Program Office, provides support and follow-on technical assistance to foreign navies and coast guards. By working closely with the Navy International Program Office, PMS 326 plays a key role in shaping the nation’s approach to global maritime partnerships that are crucial to extending the reach of the 21st century Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The program office provides the necessary oversight to ensure the effective and efficient execution of all Navy and Coast Guard surface ship foreign military sales (FMS).
The FMS program is a government-to-government method for selling U.S. defense equipment, services and training. FMS cases are a primary vehicle for providing technical assistance to partner navies, often bringing together multiple Navy programs as well.
Functional areas of support include:
- Integrated Program Management
- Case and Project Management
- Engineering Services
- Maritime and Industrial Training
- Maritime Industrial Support
- Contracts & Financial Management
Recently, PMS 326 has organized annual meetings of the International Frigate Working Group, comprised of U.S. and allied navies operating Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates. The International Frigate Working Group, with meetings hosted alternatively by the U.S. and allies, presents a unique opportunity to foster communication and identify maintenance, obsolescence and logistics issues impacting the class, and also present alternatives for sustainment and modernization programs.
After the Support Ships, Boats and Craft Program Office (PMS 325) began executing an FMS case procuring patrol boats in support of the Iraqi navy in 2011, PMS 326 worked with the Iraqi navy to outfit and open a Ship Repair Facility in Umm Qasr.
PMS 326 also concentrates on the requisite follow-on technologies of decommissioned U.S. Navy ships used abroad. The range of support services offered includes acting as an “international type commander,” engineering, overall management, waterfront maintenance, systems upgrade and integration, modernization, supply and material oversight, software, publications and manuals, and personnel training.
PMS 326 is actively supporting more than 150 ships in 23 different countries, including:
- Philippine Navy Ex-US Coast Guard Cutters
- Taiwan Navy Frigate, Destroyer, and Amphibious Platforms
- Royal Saudi Naval Forces Patrol Boats
- Turkish Navy Frigate Air Warfare Upgrades
- Japanese Navy Platform Integration Support & Landing Craft
- Afghanistan Security Forces Fund – (ASFF): Explosive Ordnance Disposal equipment procurements
- Iraqi Navy Patrol Boats and Offshore Support Vessels