For how long are FMS documents retained according to regulations?

FMS (Foreign Military Sales) documents are retained for a period of 10 years according to regulations. This retention period is critical for maintaining accurate records for audit and compliance purposes, as well as for ensuring that historical data and transactions can be reviewed if necessary.

Keeping these documents for 10 years allows the DoD to effectively track and manage foreign military transactions and potentially respond to any inquiries or audits regarding these sales. It's important for maintaining accountability and transparency in defense transactions and allows for accurate reporting and historical reference.

Shorter retention periods, such as 5 or 15 years, do not align with the established regulatory requirement for 10 years, and retaining documents indefinitely would not be practical, as it could lead to excessive storage costs and management challenges.