Jordan is a vital U.S. partner on a wide range of regional security issues, with a shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East. The United States works with Jordan to increase cooperation on border and maritime security, arms transfers, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. In addition, Jordan participates with U.S. and Global Coalition forces against al-Qa’ida, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and their regional and global affiliates.
Jordan’s stability and security are priorities for the United States, which has provided Jordan with assistance since the late 1960s. The United States and Jordan have memorialized bilateral foreign assistance in three non-binding Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) (FYs 2010-2014, 2015-2017, and 2018-2022), demonstrating a strong, multi-year U.S. commitment to Jordan’s security and stability. The MOUs outline areas of critical security and economic cooperation, while simultaneously helping Jordan mitigate the effects of regional crises, including the strain of refugees from Syria and Iraq on Jordan’s budget. Under the current five-year, $1.275 billion per year MOU, the United States outlines the intention to provide a minimum of $350 million of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) each year.
The United States and Jordan have a 1996 Status of Forces Agreement, a 2006 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, and a 2021 Defense Cooperation Agreement, reflecting the strategic importance of Jordan to U.S. foreign policy in the region.
Since 2015, the Department of State has provided Jordan with $2.155 billion in FMF, which makes Jordan the third largest global recipient of FMF funds over that time period. In addition, the Department of Defense (DoD) has provided $327 million to the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) under its 333 authority since 2018, making Jordan one of the largest recipients of this funding. Further, the United States has supported the Jordan Border Security Program, an integrated border security surveillance, detection, and interdiction system along 350 miles of Jordan’s land borders since 2009, at a cost of over $234 million. All of these funds support provision of equipment and other assistance Jordan urgently needs to rapidly respond to transnational threats along its border and participate in Global Coalition operations, including: spare parts for F-16 aircraft and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters; precision guided munitions; night vision devices; small arms; and other essential equipment.
Since 2015, the Department of State has provided Jordan with $21.33 million for International Military Education and Training (IMET), one of the Department’s largest global allocations of IMET funds. Over 6,000 members of the JAF have received training in the United States. IMET courses advance military professionalization, build capacity in key areas, enhance interoperability with U.S. forces, and create a deeper understanding of the United States. IMET is key to establishing lasting relationships with future leaders; graduates in Jordan include King Abdullah II, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Vice Chairman, the Air Force commander, the Special Forces commander, and numerous other commanders.
The United States has $4.47 billion in active government-to-government sales cases with Jordan under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system. FMS sales notified to Congress are listed here, and recent and significant prior sales include: F-16 Air Combat Training Center; UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and related equipment; 700 Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems; F-16 weapons, munitions, ground vehicles, jet engines, and logistics support; High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), and other multiple rocket launch systems; 37 Meter Coastal Patrol Boats; as well as AMRAAM air-to-air and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Since 2016, the United States has also authorized the permanent export of over $697 million in defense articles to Jordan via the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) process. The top categories of DCS to Jordan include: aircraft, fire control/night vision, and military electronics.
Jordan was designated as a Major Non-NATO ally in 1996, which provides Jordan with a number of benefits reserved to North Atlantic Treaty Organization and allied nations, including potential participation in cooperative research and development, priority delivery for Excess Defense Articles (EDA), and reciprocally-funded cooperative training. Since 2014, Jordan was authorized to receive three C-130H aircraft, MEI-23E Hawk missiles, cargo trucks, and one Intermediate Level Support Equipment Test Station via the EDA program.
Since 1992, Jordan has provided military and police officers, including female peacekeepers, to eight United Nations peace operations, including: MINUSTAH, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, UNOCI, and UNFICYP.
The United States Interagency Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) Task Force provides training on MANPADS Recognition and threats to aviation security to border security, aviation security, and defense personnel working on the front lines to fight illicit weapons proliferation. Since 2018, the MANPADS Task Force has provided MANPADS recognition and interdiction training to 61 Jordanian security officials.
Although Jordan has made significant progress in reducing the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) resulting from various conflicts, residual contamination remains along its northern border and in the Jordan River Valley. Since 1996, the United States has invested more than $29 million in conventional weapons destruction programs in Jordan, to include clearance of mines and ERW, delivery of explosive ordnance risk education, rehabilitation and reintegration support for survivors of mine and unexploded ordnance accidents, and destruction of unserviceable and obsolete munitions.
For further information, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at PM-CPA@state.gov, and follow the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs on Twitter, @StateDeptPM.