This study examines the advantages, limitations and implications of involving foreign military assets in relation to personnel, equipment and expertise in the relief operations that follow major natural disasters. It presents the findings of a research project carried out by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute with the support of the United Nations. Even though foreign military assets have made a huge contribution to several natural disaster relief operations and humanitarian operations, such work remains controversial. This study provides an overview of the current use of foreign military assets in natural disaster response including how and why they are deployed.