[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 4, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2417-S2418]
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. 16-80,
concerning the Army Corps of Engineers' proposed Letter(s) of
Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for airbase
construction and services estimated to cost $319 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. 16-80
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 $319 million.
Total $319 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Non-MDE: Design, construction, and procurement of key
airfield operations, command and control, readiness,
sustainment, and life support facilities for the Al Mubarak
Airbase in Kuwait. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
will provide project management, engineering services,
technical support, facility and infrastructure assessments,
surveys, planning, programming, design, acquisition, contract
administration, construction management, and other technical
services for the construction of facilities and
infrastructure for the airbase. The overall project includes,
among other features, a main operations center, hangars,
training facilities, barracks, warehouses, support
facilities, and other infrastructure required for a fully
functioning airbase.
(iv) Military Department: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) (HBE).
(v) Prior Related Cases. if any: N/A.
(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: April 6, 2017.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
Government of Kuwait--Facilities and Infrastructure Construction
Support Service
The Government of Kuwait has requested possible sale for
the design, construction, and procurement of key airfield
operations, command and control, readiness, sustainment, and
life support facilities for the Al Mubarak Airbase in Kuwait.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will provide project
management, engineering services, technical support, facility
and infrastructure assessments, surveys, planning,
programming, design, acquisition, contract administration,
construction management, and other technical services for the
construction of facilities and infrastructure for the
airbase. The overall project includes, among other features,
a main operations center, hangars, training facilities,
barracks, warehouses, support facilities, and other
infrastructure required for a fully functioning airbase. The
estimated total cost is $319 million.
The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by supporting the
infrastructure needs 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 facilities being constructed are similar to other
facilities built in the past by USACE in other Middle Eastern
countries. These facilities replace existing facilities and
will provide autonomous airbase operations to the Kuwait Air
Force. The new airbase will ensure the continued readiness of
[[Page S2418]]
the Kuwait Air Force and allow for the continued education of
current and future Kuwait Air Force personnel. The
construction of this airbase will enable Kuwait to enhance
the operational effectiveness of its military and promote
security and stability throughout Kuwait. Kuwait will have no
difficulty absorbing this additional capability into its
armed forces.
The proposed sale of this infrastructure and support will
not alter the basic military balance in the region.
USACE is the principal organization that will direct and
manage this program. USACE will provide services through both
in-house personnel and contract services. The estimated
number of U.S. Government and contractor representatives to
be assigned to Kuwait to implement the provisions of this
proposed sale will be determined as a result of program
definitization.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection
with this potential sale.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale. All defense articles and
services listed in this transmittal are authorized for
release and export to the Government of Kuwait.
____________________