Guide

What is the difference between Golden Sentry and Blue Lantern end-use monitoring?

Updated 3 October 2026Checked against the SAMM: 26 September 2026

Both programs check that U.S. defense articles are used, secured and transferred as agreed. Golden Sentry, run by DSCA, covers Foreign Military Sales and other government-to-government transfers. Blue Lantern, run by the State Department, covers direct commercial sales licensed under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, with pre-license, post-license and post-shipment checks.

What is the difference between Golden Sentry and Blue Lantern?

The DoW implements the requirements of the AECA with an EUM program known as “Golden Sentry.” The Director of DSCA administers Golden Sentry under authority delegated by the Secretary of War and the Under Secretary of War for Policy. DSCA provides policy guidance for the EUM program in Chapter 8 of the SAMM.

SAMM C8.2.2 — Department of War Golden Sentry Program.

Golden Sentry is DSCA’s comprehensive EUM program for FMS and other government-to government transfers. It includes policies, procedures, tools, and a global network of EUM professionals who work with our partners to maintain accountability of U.S.-provided items throughout their life cycle. Golden Sentry promotes transparency, strengthens partner trust, and helps protect U.S. national security interests. Golden Sentry’s objective is to ensure compliance with technology control requirements in order to minimize security risks to the United States, partners, and Allies. EUM includes all actions to mitigate misuse or unauthorized transfer of defense articles from title transfer until disposal. The type of defense article generally determines the level of monitoring required. The Director of DSCA may also determine, in consultation at the General Officer, Flag Officer, or Senior Executive Service (SES) level, that a change in physical security and accountability monitoring may be warranted after considering the specific defense article in question and based on assessment of the threat to security in the area or for other compelling reasons. When changing events or other unusual circumstances prompt Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) concern regarding the end use and security of U.S.-provided defense articles, SCOs should contact DSCA (Office of International Operations, Global Execution Directorate, End Use Monitoring Division (IOPS/GEX/EUM)) to obtain further guidance. SCO requests for modification in physical security and accountability monitoring must be formally submitted in writing and endorsed by the geographic Combatant Command (CCMD) prior to being forwarded to DSCA.

Synced 11 September 2026 · View on samm.dsca.mil

The Blue Lantern Program fulfills requirements stipulated in Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (22 U.S.C. 2785) concerning the transfer of defense articles and technologies via commercial channels. More specifically, the program monitors the end use of defense articles, technical data, services, and brokering activities concerning such exports through commercial channels and subject to Department of State licenses or other approvals under Section 38 of the AECA and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130), which implement Section 38 of the AECA.

Blue Lantern’s mission is to help ensure the security and integrity of U.S. defense trade. Blue Lantern prevents the diversion and unauthorized use of U.S. defense articles, combats gray arms trafficking, uncovers violations of the AECA, and builds confidence and cooperation among defense trade partners.

Blue Lantern end-use monitoring includes pre-license, post-license, and post-shipment checks to verify the bona fides of foreign consignees and end-users, confirm the legitimacy of proposed transactions, and provide reasonable assurance that the following is true:

The recipient is complying with the requirements imposed by the United States Government with respect to the use, transfer, and security of defense articles and defense services.
Such articles and services are being used for the purposes for which provided.

The U.S. chief of mission in a given foreign country can request assistance from the respective SCO or DAO to conduct Blue Lantern checks which may be required in his/her country.

References

Drawn exclusively from publicly available authorities.

SAMM

SAMM C2.1.5.6.1 — Golden Sentry.
SAMM C8.2.2 — Department of War Golden Sentry Program.

Public authorities

GuideWhat is end-use monitoring?GuideWhat is a third-party transfer?GuideForeign Military Sales vs Direct Commercial Sales: which one, and who decides?RoleState PM/RSAT GuideDoes the Commerce Department monitor end use too?

What is the difference between Golden Sentry and Blue Lantern end-use monitoring?

What is the difference between Golden Sentry and Blue Lantern?

References

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