What must be determined regarding foreign participation in a system acquisition program?

Determining the potential risks to U.S. military capabilities is crucial in the context of foreign participation in a system acquisition program because such participation can lead to vulnerabilities in sensitive technologies and operational strategies. If foreign entities gain access to U.S. military systems or data, there is a risk that they could exploit this information to compromise U.S. security or gain an advantage in military operations. Therefore, this assessment helps ensure that foreign involvement does not undermine U.S. defense capabilities or expose military systems to espionage or leak critical information.

While the capabilities of allied countries, compatibility of technologies, and impact on domestic military contracts are also important factors to consider, they do not directly address the inherent risks that foreign participation could pose to U.S. military strength and security. Recognizing and mitigating these risks is a fundamental responsibility of the Foreign Disclosure Officer, making the assessment of potential risks a priority in decision-making processes regarding foreign involvement in military systems.