[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3093-S3095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification,
the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be
reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the
notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant
information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received.
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is
available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations
Committee, room SD-423.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA.
Hon. Bob Corker,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-24,
concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed
Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Oman
for defense articles and services estimated to cost $260
million. After this letter is delivered to your office, we
plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this
proposed sale.
Sincerely,
J.W. Rixey,
Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-24
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Oman.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
Other $260 million.
Total $260 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Non-MDE: Follow-on support for Oman's existing F-16 fleet
that includes support equipment, communications equipment,
personnel training, spare and repair parts, publications,
Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program
(ECISAP), Contractor Engineer Technical Services (CETS),
Technical Coordination Group (TCG), International Engine
Management Program (IEMP), Precision Measurement Equipment
Laboratory (PMEL) calibration and technical orders. The
estimated value of this possible sale is $260 million.
(iv) Military Department: USAF (QAO).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: MU-D-SDC-$693,191,686-5
June 2002; MU-D-QAJ-$186,003,411-22 September 2009; MU-D-SAB-
$1,418,883,494-2 December 2011.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 24, 2016.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Oman--Continuation of Logistics Support Services and Equipment
The Government of Oman requests follow-on support for its
existing F-16 fleet that includes support equipment,
communications equipment, personnel training, spare and
repair parts, publications, Electronic Combat International
Security Assistance Program (ECISAP), Contractor Engineer
Technical Services (CETS), Technical Coordination Group
(TCG), International Engine Management Program (IEMP),
Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) calibration
and technical orders. The estimated value of this possible
sale is $260 million.
The proposed sale of support services will enable the Royal
Air Force of Oman to ensure the reliability and performance
of its F-16 aircraft. Oman will have no difficulty absorbing
this support into its armed forces.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of a friendly country which has been, and
continues to be, an important force for political stability
and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale allows the U.S. military to support the
Royal Air Force of Oman, further strengthen the U.S.-Omani
military-to-military relationship, and ensure continued
interoperability of forces and opportunities for bilateral
training and exercises with Oman's military forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors for this sale are: Lockheed Martin
Aero, Fort Worth, TX; ITT (EXCELIS-Harris), Fort Wayne, IN;
BAE Systems, Austin, TX; Honeywell, Clearwater, FL; Northrop
Grumman, Linthicum Heights, MD; Marvin Engineering,
Inglewood, CA; Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control,
Orlando, FL; Goodrich Corp, Westford, MA. There are no known
offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential
sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale does not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Oman.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
All defense articles and services have been approved for
release to the Government of Oman.
transmittal no. 16-24
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. This case involves the sustainment of sensitive
technology previously released to Oman in the sales of their
F-16C/D aircraft. The F-16C/D Block 50/52 weapon system is
UNCLASSIFIED, except as noted below. The aircraft uses the F-
16 airframe and features advanced avionics and systems
including the Pratt and Whitney F-100-PW-229 or the General
Electric F-110-GE-129 engine, AN/APG-68V(9) radar, digital
flight control system, external electronic warfare equipment,
Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF), Link-16
datalink, and software computer programs.
2. Sensitive or classified (up to SECRET) elements of the
proposed F-16C/D include hardware, accessories, components,
and associated software: AN/APG-68V(9) Radar, Have Quick I/II
Radios, AN/APX-113 A1FF with Mode IV capability, AN/ALE-47
Countermeasures (Chaff and Flare) set, LINK-16 Advanced Data
Link Group A provisions only, Embedded Global Positioning
System/Inertial Navigation System, Joint Helmet-Mounted
Cueing System (JHMCS), ALQ-211(V)4 Advanced Integrated
Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) without Digital
Radio Frequency Memory, AN/ALQ-211(V)4 Countermeasures Set,
Modular Mission Computer, Have Glass I/II without infrared
top coat, and Digital Flight Control System. Additional
sensitive areas include operating manuals and maintenance
technical orders containing performance information,
operating and test procedures, and other information related
to support operations and repair. The hardware, software, and
data identified are classified to protect vulnerabilities,
design, and performance parameters and other similar critical
information.
3. Software, hardware, and other data, which is classified
or sensitive, is reviewed prior to release to protect system
vulnerabilities, design data, and performance parameters.
Some end-item hardware, software, and other data identified
above are classified at the CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET level.
Potential compromise of these systems is controlled through
management of the basic software programs of highly sensitive
systems and software-controlled weapon system on a case-by-
case basis.
4. Oman is both willing and able to protect U.S. classified
military information. Oman's physical and document security
standards are equivalent to U.S. standards.
5. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S.
foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in
the Policy Justification. Moreover, the benefits to be
derived from this sale outweigh the potential damage that
could result if the sensitive technology were revealed to
unauthorized persons.
6. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Oman.
____
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA.
Hon. Bob Corker,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-20,
concerning the Department of the Army's proposed Letter(s) of
Offer and Acceptance to Qatar for defense articles and
services estimated to cost $20 million. After this letter is
delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to
notify the public of this proposed sale.
Sincerely,
J.W. Rixey,
Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
[[Page S3094]]
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-20
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Qatar.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $15 million.
Other $5 million.
Total $20 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Fifty (50) Javelin Guided Missiles (Category I) with
Containers.
Ten (10) Command Launch Units (CLUs) with Integrated Day/
Thermal Sights (Category III Sensitive) with Containers.
Non-MDE: Ten (10) Javelin Missile Simulation Rounds, one
(1) Enhanced Basic Skills Trainer (EPBST), and twelve (12)
Batteries, Non-Rechargeable, six (6) Batteries, Storage,
Rechargeable, Battery Discharger, Battery Charger for #9, and
ten (10) Battery Coolant Units. Also included in this
possible sale are U.S. Government Technical Information and
Assistance and Life Cycle Contractor support (LCCS) for
twenty-four (24) months or until funds are exhausted. This
support provides for personnel, services, materials,
facilities, equipment, maintenance, supply support,
Integrated Support Plan, product assurance, and configuration
management. The estimated cost is $20 million.
(iv) Military Department: U.S. Army.
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: QA-B-UAR-$113,894,777-11
SEP 14.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 24, 2016.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Qatar-Javelin Guided Missiles
The Government of Qatar has requested a possible sale of
fifty (50) Javelin Guided Missiles (Category I), and ten (10)
Command Launch Units (CLUs) with Integrated Day/Thermal Sight
(Category III Sensitive) with Container. Also included in
this possible sale are: ten (10) Javelin Missile Simulation
Rounds, one (1) Enhanced Basic Skills Trainer (EPBST), and
twelve (12) Battery, Non-Rechargeable, six (6) Battery,
Storage, Rechargeable, Battery Discharger, Battery Charger
for #9, and ten (10) Battery Coolant Units. Also included in
this possible sale are U.S. Government Technical Information
and Assistance and Life Cycle Contractor support (LCCS) for
twenty-four (24) months or until funds are exhausted. This
support provides for personnel, services, materials,
facilities, equipment, maintenance, supply support,
Integrated Support Plan, product assurance, and configuration
management. The total estimated value of Major Defense
Equipment is $15 million. The overall total estimated value
is $20 million.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of a regional partner. Qatar is an important
force for political stability and economic progress in the
Persian Gulf region. This proposed sale strengthens U.S.
efforts to promote regional stability by enhancing the
defense to a key U.S. ally.
The proposed sale will improve Qatar's capability to meet
current and future threats and provide greater security for
its critical oil and natural gas infrastructure. Qatar will
use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland
defense. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these
missiles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance
in the region.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Troy, AL.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection
with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple
trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to
travel to Qatar for up to twenty-four (24) months for
equipment de-processing, fielding, system checkout, training,
and technical logistics support.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16-20
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The Javelin Weapon System is a medium-range, man-
portable, shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget, anti-tank
system for infantry, scouts, and combat engineers. It may
also be mounted on a variety of platforms including vehicles,
aircraft and watercraft. The system weighs 49.5 pounds and
has a maximum range in excess of 2,500 meters. The system is
highly lethal against tanks and other systems with
conventional and reactive armors. The system possesses a
secondary capability against bunkers.
2. Javelin's key technical feature is the use of fire-and-
forget technology which allows the gunner to fire and
immediately relocate or take cover. Additional special
features are the top attack and/or direct fire modes, an
advanced tandem warhead and imaging infrared seeker, target
lock-on before launch, and soft launch from enclosures or
covered fighting positions. The Javelin missile also has a
minimum smoke motor thus decreasing its detection on the
battlefield.
3. The Javelin Weapon System comprises two major tactical
components, which are a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU)
and a round contained in a disposable launch tube assembly.
The CLU incorporates an integrated day-night sight that
provides a target engagement capability in adverse weather
and countermeasure environments. The CLU may also be used in
a stand-alone mode for battlefield surveillance and target
detection. The CLU's thermal sight is a second generation
Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor. To facilitate initial
loading and subsequent updating of software, all on-board
missile software is uploaded via the CLU after mating and
prior to launch.
4. The missile is autonomously guided to the target using
an imaging infrared seeker and adaptive correlation tracking
algorithms. This allows the gunner to take cover or reload
and engage another target after firing a missile. The missile
has an advanced tandem warhead and can be used in either the
top attack or direct fire modes (for targets undercover). An
onboard flight computer guides the missile to the selected
target.
5. The Javelin Missile System hardware and the
documentation are UNCLASSIFIED. The missile software which
resides in the CLU is considered SENSITIVE. The sensitivity
is primarily in the software programs which instruct the
system how to operate in the presence of countermeasures. The
overall hardware is also considered SENSITIVE in that the
infrared wavelengths could be useful in attempted
countermeasure development. The benefits to be derived from
the sale, as outlined in the Policy Justification of the
notification, outweigh the potential damage that could result
if sensitive technology was revealed to unauthorized persons.
6. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware or software elements, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures that
might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
7. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Qatar.
____
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA.
Hon. Bob Corker,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-16,
concerning the Department of the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of
Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $420 million. After
this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a
news release to notify the public of this proposed sale.
Sincerely,
J.W. Rixey,
Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-16
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Kuwait
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
Other $420 million.
Total $420 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE): This request includes
the following Non-MDE: continuation of contractor engineering
technical services, contractor maintenance services, Hush
House (an enclosed, noise-suppressed aircraft jet engine
testing facility) support services, and Liaison Office
Support for the Government of Kuwait F/A-18 C/D program. This
will include F/A-18 avionics software upgrades, engine
component improvements, ground support equipment, engine and
aircraft spares and repair parts, publications and technical
documentation, Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), U.S.
Government and contractor programmatic, financial, and
logistics support. Also included are: maintenance and
engineering support, F404 engine and engine test cell
support, and Liaison Office support for five (5) Kuwait
Liaison Offices. There is no MDE associated with this
possible sale. The total overall estimated cost is $420
million.
(iv) Military Department: U.S. Navy (GHI, GHJ).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FMS Cases: GGZ-
$134,425,825-16 JUN 14 GGW-$177,181,190-25 DEC 13.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee. etc., Paid. Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 24, 2016.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
[[Page S3095]]
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
The Government of Kuwait-F/A-18 C/D Services and Support
The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of
the following Non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE): continuation
of contractor engineering technical services, contractor
maintenance services, Hugh House support services, and
Liaison Office Support for the Government of Kuwait F/A-18 C/
D program. This will include F/A-18 avionics software
upgrades, engine component improvements, ground support
equipment, engine and aircraft spares and repair parts,
publications and technical documentation, Engineering Change
Proposals (ECP), U.S. Government and contractor programmatic,
financial, and logistics support. Also included are:
maintenance and engineering support, F404 engine and engine
test cell support, and Liaison Office support for five (5)
Kuwait Liaison Offices. There is no MDE associated with this
possible sale. The total overall estimated value is $420
million.
The proposed sale of support services will enable the
Kuwait Air Force to ensure the reliability and performance of
its F/A-18 C/D aircraft. Kuwait will have no difficulty
absorbing this support into its armed forces.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and
continues to be, an important force for political stability
and economic progress in the Middle East. Kuwait plays a
large role in U.S. efforts to advance stability in the Middle
East, providing basing, access, and transit for U.S. forces
in the region.
The proposed sale of support and services will not alter
the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Kay and Associates
Incorporated in Buffalo Grove, Illinois; The Boeing Company
in St. Louis, Missouri; Industrial Acoustics Corporation in
Winchester, England; General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts;
and Sigmatech in Huntsville, Alabama. There are no known
offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential
sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require two-
hundred and seventy-five (275) contractor representatives to
travel to Kuwait for a period of three (3) years to provide
support.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
____________________