Peru and Saudi Arabia now "Major Non-NATO Allies"

The White House has designated Peru and Saudi Arabia as Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNAs), according to presidential determinations signed January 14 and January 13, 2026, respectively, and scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on January 23.

MNNA status does not constitute a mutual defense treaty, but it confers significant practical benefits under U.S. defense, export control, and security cooperation law.

For export controls, the designation makes both countries eligible for preferential treatment under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), including eligibility for certain license exemptions, priority consideration of license applications, and participation in cooperative defense research, development, testing, and evaluation programs. While ITAR licensing requirements remain in place, MNNA status can materially reduce friction for government-to-government and industry defense transactions.

In the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) context, MNNA designation facilitates access to advanced U.S. defense articles and services, supports stockpiling of U.S. war reserve materiel on the partner’s territory with congressional notification, and enables participation in U.S.-funded training and sustainment programs. It can also improve financing terms and eligibility for excess defense articles, subject to statutory and policy constraints.

Beyond export controls and FMS, MNNA status carries broader strategic and industrial implications. It signals elevated political and security alignment with the United States, strengthens eligibility for joint logistics support arrangements, and can support deeper integration into U.S. and allied defense supply chains.

The designation may also factor into interagency risk assessments for technology transfer, sanctions policy coordination, and regional security cooperation, though it does not override existing end-use, end-user, human rights, or congressional notification requirements.

• Saudi Arabia was previously designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2004, during the George W. Bush administration. The January 13, 2026 determination effectively reaffirms that status rather than creating it anew.

• Peru had not previously been designated a Major Non-NATO Ally. The January 14, 2026 determination represents Peru’s first MNNA designation.

In practical terms, Saudi Arabia’s designation largely preserves an existing legal and policy framework for defense cooperation, export controls, and FMS, while Peru’s designation newly unlocks MNNA-linked authorities and eligibility that were not previously available.

Peru; Presidential Determination on Designation as Major Non-NATO Ally (Presidential Determination No. 2026-04 of January 14, 2026)

Saudi Arabia; Presidential Determination on Designation as Major Non-NATO Ally (Presidential Determination No. 2026-03 of January 13, 2026)