diff --git a/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.cpp b/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.cpp
index e0e92f0a29..92a97f18b7 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@
 // singleton instance
 AP_ExternalControl *AP_ExternalControl::singleton;
 
+bool AP_ExternalControl::arm(AP_Arming::Method method, bool do_arming_checks)
+{
+    return AP::arming().arm(method, do_arming_checks);
+}
+
+bool AP_ExternalControl::disarm(AP_Arming::Method method, bool do_disarm_checks)
+{
+    return AP::arming().disarm(method, do_disarm_checks);
+}
+
 AP_ExternalControl::AP_ExternalControl()
 {
     singleton = this;
diff --git a/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.h b/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.h
index 34228e2b7a..57670008f4 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_ExternalControl/AP_ExternalControl.h
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #if AP_EXTERNAL_CONTROL_ENABLED
 
+#include <AP_Arming/AP_Arming.h>
 #include <AP_Common/Location.h>
 #include <AP_Math/AP_Math.h>
 
@@ -32,6 +33,16 @@ public:
         return false;
     }
 
+    /*
+        Arm the vehicle
+    */
+    virtual bool arm(AP_Arming::Method method, bool do_arming_checks) WARN_IF_UNUSED;
+
+    /*
+        Disarm the vehicle
+    */
+    virtual bool disarm(AP_Arming::Method method, bool do_disarm_checks) WARN_IF_UNUSED;
+
     static AP_ExternalControl *get_singleton(void) WARN_IF_UNUSED {
         return singleton;
     }