[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6333-S6336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOPTIFICATION
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:
[[Page S6334]]
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA, October 6, 2016.
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. 16-42,
concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed
Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to Iraq for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $65.3 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,
James Worm
(For J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN
Director).
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-42
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: The Republic of Iraq.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
Other $65.3 million.
Total $65.3 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Non-MDE:
Two (2) Cessna AC-208 aircraft with dual rail Hellfire
launcher capability on each wing.
Two (2) AN/ALE-47 Electronic Countermeasure Dispensers.
Two (2) AAR-60 Missile Launch Warning Systems.
Four (4) AN/AAQ-35 (Wescam MX-15D) Electro-Optical Infrared
Imaging Systems.
Two (2) LAU-131-A Launchers.
Additionally, non-MDE includes contractor aircraft
modifications, spare parts, publication updates, aircraft
ferry, and miscellaneous parts. The total estimated program
cost is $65.3 million.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force.
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: IQ-D-QAH for $20M signed
on 13 Feb 2009 for C/AC-208 CLS, Transmittal 11-23. IQ-D-QAF
for $5M signed 26 Oct 2008 for C/AC-208 CLS, Transmittal 11-
23.
(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 Annex
attached.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: None.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Republic of Iraq--AC-208 Aircraft
The Government of Iraq requests to purchase two (2) Cessna
AC-208 aircraft that include: dual rail LAU-131 Hellfire
launcher capability on each wing, AN/ALE-47 electronic
countermeasure dispenser, AN/AAR-60 Missile Launch Warning
System, AN/AAQ-35 Electro-Optical Infrared Imaging System,
contractor aircraft modifications, spare parts, publication
updates, aircraft ferry, and miscellaneous parts. The
estimated total case value is $65.3 million.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of a strategic partner. This proposed sale
directly supports Iraq and serves the interests of the people
of Iraq and the United States.
Iraq originally purchased three (3) AC-208 and three (3) C-
208 aircraft in 2008. The Cessna aircraft are used to support
Iraqi military operations against al-Qaeda affiliate and
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) forces. The
purchase of two (2) additional aircraft enables the Iraqi Air
Force to continue its fight against ISIL. Iraq will have no
difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor is Orbital ATK, Falls Church, VA.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection
with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. or contractor
representatives to Iraq.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale. All defense articles and
services are approved for release by our foreign disclosure
office.
Transmittal No. 16-42
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. Cessna AC-208: The Armed Caravan is a specifically
modified Cessna C-208 capable of operating in austere
environments while providing real-time intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and low collateral
damage kinetic strike capabilities. It is equipped with an
integrated electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) laser sensor
suite which gives it a day/night ISR capability with a laser
illuminator, range finder, and designator to allow employment
of the AGM-114M missile through a 1760 mil bus interface. The
aircraft has two external hard points for weapons and fuel
carriage. The Iraq variant will be equipped for use with AGM-
114 missiles already in country. Critical components (cockpit
and engine) will have aircraft armor able to withstand small
arms fire. Hardware and software are UNCLASSIFIED. Technical
data and documentation to be provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
2. The proposed configuration includes the AN/ALE-47
Countermeasure Dispenser Set (CMDS), the AN/AAR-60 Missile
Approach Warning System, the AN/AAQ-35 MX (Wescam MX-15D)
Electro-Optical Infrared Imaging System, and dual rail LAU-
131 Hellfire launcher capability on each wing.
3. The AN/ALE-47 CMDS provides an integrated threat-
adaptive, computer controlled capability for dispensing
chaff, flares, and active radio frequency expendables. The
AN/ALE-47 system enhances aircraft survivability in
sophisticated threat environments.
4. The threats countered by the CMDS include radar-directed
anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), radar command-guided missiles,
radar homing guided missiles, and infrared guided missiles.
The U.S. is not providing any threat data. The system is
internally mounted and may be operated as a stand-alone
system or integrated with other on-board electronic warfare
and avionics systems. Expendable routines tailored to the
immediate aircraft and threat environment may be dispensed
using one of four operational modes. Hardware is
UNCLASSIFIED. Software is SECRET. Technical data and
documentation provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
5. The AN/AAR-60 Missile Approach Warning System is a
passive, true imaging sensor device that is optimized to
detect the radiation signature of a threat missile's exhaust
plume within the ultra violet solar blind spectral band.
Functionally, the architecture detects incoming missile
threats and indicates their direction of arrival with the
'maximum' of warning time. Hardware and software are
UNCLASSIFIED. Technical data and documentation provided are
UNCLASSIFIED.
6. The AN/AAQ-35 MX (Wescam MX-15D) is a gyro-stabilized,
multi-spectral, multi field of view electro-optical infrared
imaging system. The system provides surveillance laser
illumination and laser designation through use of an
externally mounted turret sensor and internally mounted
master control. Sensor video imagery is displayed in the
aircraft real time and may be recorded for subsequent ground
analysis. Hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. Technical data and
documentation provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
7. The LAU-131 launcher is tube shaped, 59.8 inches in
length, and 10.125 inches in diameter. It weighs 65 pounds
and is capable of carrying seven rockets (2.75 inch or 70mm).
Hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. Technical data and documentation
provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
8. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware and 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.
9. 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, as outlined in the Policy
Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could
result if the sensitive technology were revealed to
unauthorized persons.
10. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Iraq.
____
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. 16-49,
concerning the Department of the Army's proposed Letter(s) of
Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Egypt for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $81.4 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,
James Worm
(For J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN,
Director).
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-49
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: The Government of Egypt.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $56.4 million.
Other $25.0 million.
Total $81.4 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Sixty-seven (67) AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems
(CMWS).
Non-MDE: This request also includes the following Non-MDE:
OCONUS Installation/Integration, Installation Mounting Kits,
Countermeasure Dispenser Test Set AN/
[[Page S6335]]
ALM-294, Technical Assistance, U.S. Government Training and
OCONUS Contractor Training, publications and technical
documents, quality assurance and other related elements of
logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (VGJ).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: EG-B-VBT, A04 (02 JUL 15,
TCV: $17.8M).
(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 Annex
attached.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 6, 2016.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Government of Egypt--Description of Sale: Common Missile Warning System
(CMWS) for AH-64E Apache, UH-60 Blackhawks and CH-47 Chinook
Helicopters
The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of:
Major Defense Eauipment (MDE):
Sixty-seven (67) AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems
(CMWS).
This request also includes the following Non-MDE: OCONUS
Installation/Integration, Installation Mounting Kits,
Countermeasure Dispenser Test Set AN/ALM-294, Technical
Assistance, U.S. Government Training and OCONUS Contractor
Training, publications and technical documents, quality
assurance and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated cost is $81.4 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the security of a strategic partner that has been and
continues to be an important force for political stability
and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale of the CMWS will equip the Egyptian Air
Force's fleet of multi-mission helicopters with a detection
system for infrared missile threats. Egypt will have no
difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors will be BAE Systems and DynCorp.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection
with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the
assignment of two (2) U.S. Government and two (2) contractor
representatives to Egypt to support delivery of such
equipment, installation and integration, maintenance and to
provide technical support and equipment familiarization.
Additionally, this program will require multiple trips
involving U.S. Government and contractor personnel to
participate in technical reviews, training and installation.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16-49
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. AN/AAR-57--Common Missile Warning System (CMWS)--The
Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) provides superior
detection of infrared missile threats for rotary-wing,
transport, and tactical aircraft. It is the detection
component of a suite of countermeasures to increase
survivability of current generation combat, airlift, and
special operations aircraft against the threat posed by
infrared guided missiles. It also provides automatic, passive
missile detection, threat declaration, crew warning, software
reprogramming, false alarm suppression and cues to other on-
board systems, such as dispensers, which may be utilized for
flare decoys. Each platform includes: Electro-optical Missile
Sensors, and Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Sequencer, and
the Improved Countermeasures Dispenser (ICMD). The ECU
hardware is classified CONFIDENTIAL; releasable technical
manuals for operation and maintenance are classified SECRET.
2. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware and software equipment,
the information could be used to develop countermeasures or
equivalent systems which may reduce weapon system
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with
similar or advanced capabilities.
3. A determination has been made that Egypt can provide
substantially the same degree of protection for this
technology as the U.S. Government. This proposed sale is
necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and
national security objectives outlined in the Policy
Justification.
4. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
Egypt.
____
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA, October 13, 2016.
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. 16-38,
concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed
Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait
for defense articles and services estimated to cost $194
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,
James Worm
(For J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN,
Director).
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-38
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 * $62 million.
Other $132 million.
Total $194 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Six (6) AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel F1 Radars.
Non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE): The Government of Kuwait
requested a limited competition between three (3) U.S.
vendors to procure a total of six (6) Short Range, Gap Filler
Radars (e.g., AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel F1, AN/TPS-77, or AN/TPS-
703) and one (1) Long Range Radar (e.g., AN/TPS-77 or AN/TPS-
78). Only one of the radars under consideration, the AN/MPQ-
64 is Major Defense Equipment (MDE). The remaining radars
identified by Kuwait for consideration are non-MDE.
Additionally, Kuwait is requesting one (1) Long Range Radar
with Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and Secondary
Surveillance Radar (SSR) capability on the Long Range Radar,
upgrades to existing AN/FPS 117 (V) 3 Long Range Radars,
upgrades to airfield radome and communications systems,
upgrade secure Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems,
site surveys, installation and checkout, site acceptance
testing, interim contractor support, construction, contractor
logistics support (CLS), spares, support equipment and
training. Cost for additional non-MDE is $132 million. The
total overall estimated cost is $194 million.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (X7-D-DAB).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(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 Annex
attached.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 13, 2016.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
The Government of Kuwait--Radar Field System
The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible total
sale of six (6) Short Range Radars, otherwise known as Gap
Filler Radars, one (1) Long Range Radar with Primary
Surveillance Radar (PSR) and Secondary Surveillance Radar
(SSR) arrays, upgrades to existing AN/FPS 117 (V) 3 Long
Range Radar, upgrades to airfield radome and communications
systems, upgrade to secure Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)
systems, site surveys, installation and checkout, site
acceptance testing, interim contractor support, construction,
contractor logistics support, spares, support equipment, and
training. The total estimated value of this sale is $194
million.
The Government of Kuwait requested a limited competition
between three (3) U.S. vendors to procure a total of six (6)
Short Range, Gap Filler Radars (e.g., AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel F1,
AN/TPS-77, or AN/TPS-703) and one (1) Long Range Radar (e.g.,
AN/TPS-77 or AN/TPS-78). Only one of the radars under
consideration, the AN/MPQ-64 is Major Defense Equipment
(MDE). The remaining radars identified by Kuwait for
consideration are non-MDE.
This proposed sale supports U.S. Government national
security goals by aiding a Major non-NATO Ally in the
reduction of transnational threats, weapons proliferation,
and the movement and support of international terrorists.
The Government of Kuwait desires the radar field system in
order to improve early warning, enhance internal and external
security, and protect national sovereignty. The system
provides situational awareness for Kuwaiti security forces to
detect and interdict fixed and rotary wing aircraft. This
procurement provides coverage for Kuwait's northern and
eastern borders.
The prime contractor will be determined by competition
between Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, Maryland, Northrop
Grumman, Falls Church, Virginia, and the Raytheon Company,
Waltham, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements
proposed in connection with this potential sale.
This procurement includes a small number of U.S. contractor
system and maintenance advisors under a long-term operations
and maintenance support package. The exact number of
personnel and period of performance is yet to be finalized.
This purchase will not substantially alter the U.S.
Government presence in Kuwait.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
[[Page S6336]]
Transmittal No. 16-38
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar System is a fielded air
defense radar system in the Army inventory. Sentinel is a
derivative of the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder System used for
artillery detection and the AN/TPQ-36A Norwegian adapted Hawk
system. Sentinel is a mobile, phased-array radar that
provides highly accurate 3 dimensional radar track data to
using systems via the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD)
Command, Control, and Intelligence (C2I) node. Sentinel
acquires, tracks, and reports cruise missiles, unmanned
aerial vehicles, fixed and rotary wing aircraft in clutter
and electronic counter measures environments. The Sentinel
Export configuration (AN/MPQ-64F1) is a derivative of the
U.S. Army's Improved Sentinel Radar.
2. The Sentinel consists of a radar-based sensor system
with the M1152 HighMobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
(HMMWV) as the prime mover and the MEP-1041 Advanced Mobile
Medium Power Source (AMMPS) Tactical Quiet Generator as the
power source. The sensor is an advanced battlefield radar
capable of X-band air defense phased-array with an
instrumented range of 75 kilometers with a rotating antenna
providing 360 degree azimuth coverage for acquisition and
tracking.
3. Sentinel has only one item currently designated Critical
Program Information (CPI) and that is the Sentinel software
modules containing routines for electronic counter-counter
measures (ECCM) that have been determined to be a CPI.
4. These items are classified IAW EO 12958 section 1.5,
Classification categories as category 1.5(e) because they
contain scientific, technological, or economic matters
relative to the national security. Reports, test data, and
all Sentinel related media that discloses operational
parameters, performance, characteristics, ECCM techniques,
vulnerabilities, limitations or performance weaknesses shall
be classified at the highest level based on the information
being conveyed as referenced in the Sentinel Security
Classification Guide. Distribution of technical performance
and system capabilities reports and data shall only be
released up to the CONFIDENTIAL level. It is not possible to
obtain the Sentinel wartime reserved frequencies by reverse
engineering, testing, or analyzing the unclassified Sentinel
end item.
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, as outlined in the Policy
Justification, 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 are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Kuwait.
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA, October 21, 2016.
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. 16-45,
concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed
Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the United Arab Emirates
for defense articles and services estimated to cost $75
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. 16-45
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) (U) Prospective Purchaser: United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(ii) (U) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $ 0 million.
Other $75 million.
Total $75 million.
(iii) (U) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Non-MDE:
The United Arab Emirates Air Force requests participation
in military exercises, aerial refueling, airlift and ferry
support, training aids/devices/munitions, technical and
logistics support services, and other related elements of
logistical and program support. There is no MDE associated
with this potential sale. The total estimated cost is $75.0
million.
(iv) (U) Military Department: Air Force (X7-D-NAF Amendment
4).
(v) (U) Prior Related Cases, if any: AE-D-NAF--$49M--20 Mar
12.
(vi) (U) Sales Commission. Fee, etc., Paid. Offered, or
Agreed to be Paid: None.
(vii) (U) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the
Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold:
None.
(viii) (U) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 21,
2016.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
(U) United Arab Emirates (UAE)--Exercise Participation Support
(U) The Government of the UAE requested a possible sale to
include participation in military exercises, aerial
refueling, airlift and ferry support, training aids/devices/
munitions, technical and logistics support services, and
other related elements of logistical and program support. The
estimated cost is $75 million.
(U) This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the security of a major regional ally which has been,
and continues to be, an important force for political
stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
(U) This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the ability of the UAE to employ its fighter aircraft
in a multi-country coalition environment, such as Red Flag
and Green Flag exercises. Participating in major exercises
has enhanced the UAE's continued and consistent role in
support of Coalition Operations. The UAE is a steadfast
coalition partner in the fight against radical Islamic forces
such as ISIL and Al Qaeda (AQAP) in the Arabian Peninsula.
(U) The proposed sale of this equipment and support does
not alter the basic military balance in the region.
(U) Implementation of this proposed sale will not require
the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or
contractor representatives to the UAE.
(U) There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense
readiness as a result of this proposed sale. All defense
articles and services are approved for release by our foreign
disclosure office.
____________________