Fairfax, Virginia, USA – September 1, 2026 – As the United Kingdom and European allies accelerate defense production, expand multinational manufacturing and deepen cooperation with Ukraine, U.S. defense manufacturers participating in an increasingly interconnected global defense supply chain should ensure their employees understand their responsibilities under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), according to Cleared Systems, LLC.
Recent developments illustrate how quickly defense manufacturing is becoming more international. NATO has launched new initiatives aimed at expanding industrial production capacity and encouraging cross-border collaboration among U.S., Canadian and European companies. The United Kingdom and Poland have also entered a new security and defense partnership that includes joint development and manufacturing of next-generation missile technology.
More recently, the United Kingdom authorized the release of classified information involving British components of the Storm Shadow/SCALP missile to support plans for production in Ukraine. The development comes as European governments continue efforts to increase defense manufacturing capacity and strengthen defense supply chains.
For U.S. defense manufacturers, the expansion of multinational defense production creates opportunities, but it can also increase the importance of understanding U.S. export-control requirements.
“Defense manufacturing is becoming increasingly collaborative and international,” said Carl B. Johnson, President and CISO of Cleared Systems. “A U.S. manufacturer may have engineers, suppliers, subcontractors and customers working across multiple countries on the same program. That creates an environment where employees need to understand that an export-control issue can involve much more than putting a defense article in a box and shipping it overseas.”
Under ITAR, certain defense articles, defense services and related technical data are subject to U.S. export controls. Depending on the circumstances, releasing controlled technical data to a foreign person can constitute an export even when the information never physically leaves the United States.
That distinction can be particularly important for manufacturers.
Engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing instructions, software, photographs and other technical information may be exchanged during design reviews, supplier communications, troubleshooting, production and other routine business activities. Organizations also need to consider who can access controlled information through information systems, cloud platforms and collaborative environments.
“An engineer can create an export-control problem with a drawing just as easily as someone in shipping can create one with a physical product,” Johnson said. “That is why ITAR awareness cannot stop with the export manager. Employees who handle technical data or support controlled programs need to understand where the boundaries are and know when to stop and ask for guidance.”
Training Becomes Part of Defense Supply-Chain Readiness
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has identified training as an element of an effective ITAR compliance program. Training should be appropriate to an employee’s responsibilities and supported by records demonstrating completion.
For defense manufacturers, that can mean ensuring personnel working in engineering, manufacturing, program management, information technology, sales, procurement and other relevant functions receive appropriate training based on their roles.
The need for documented training can also extend beyond an organization’s internal compliance program. Prime contractors, customers and agencies may request evidence that personnel supporting a program have completed ITAR training.
Cleared Systems recently expanded its ITAR Compliance Training US platform to address that documentation requirement.
Organizations completing training through ITAR Compliance Training US can generate formal ITAR Training Attestation Letters on Cleared Systems letterhead at no additional cost. Organization managers can select which training-complete employees appear on a letter and generate as many letters as necessary for different primes, customers, programs or agency requests.
Each trained employee also receives an individual certificate with a unique verification code.
The attestation documents completion of training by the individuals identified in the letter. It does not represent a determination that an organization is ITAR compliant, DDTC registered or approved by the U.S. Department of State.
Manufacturing Experience Behind the Training
Cleared Systems has assisted hundreds of defense contractor managers in navigating ITAR compliance requirements and provides both on-demand and live instructor-led ITAR compliance training.
The company’s experience includes working with requirements involving the U.S. Munitions List (USML), DDTC registration, technical data, foreign-person access and export compliance.
Cleared Systems is also a manufacturer, giving the company firsthand perspective on how compliance requirements intersect with engineering, production, suppliers, technical information, and day-to-day manufacturing operations.
“As defense production expands, compliance cannot become the bottleneck,” Johnson said. “The objective should be to build export-control awareness into the workforce so manufacturers can move quickly while recognizing when a transaction, technical discussion or data transfer requires additional review.”
ITAR Compliance Training US provides Introduction, Intermediate, Advanced and Manager-level training for organizations and their employees.
More information about ITAR compliance training is available at: https://itarcompliancetraining.us/
Information about ITAR Training Attestation Letters is available at: https://itarcompliancetraining.us/itar-compliance-attestation-letter
About Cleared Systems
Cleared Systems, LLC provides cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and training services to defense contractors, manufacturers, and other regulated organizations. Services include ITAR and export compliance, CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), DFARS and regulatory cybersecurity services.
Cleared Systems combines regulatory and cybersecurity expertise with practical manufacturing experience to help organizations translate compliance requirements into operational controls.
For more information, visit: https://clearedsystems.com/
Media ContactCompany Name: Cleared Systems, LLCContact Person: Carl B. JohnsonEmail: Send EmailPhone: 1-888-575-4430City: FairfaxState: VirginiaCountry: United StatesWebsite: clearedsystems.com/
