[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 95 (Monday, June 5, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3240-S3241]
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. 16-77,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $750 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. 16-77
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: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $ 0 million.
Other $750 million.
Total $750 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE includes: Continuation of a blanket order training
program inside and outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
that includes, but is not limited to, flight training,
technical training, professional military education,
specialized training, mobile training teams (MTTs), and
English language training. These blanket order training cases
will cover all relevant types of training offered by or
contracted through the U.S. Air Force or Department of
Defense Agencies (DOD), to include participation in CONUS
DOD-sponsored education, as well as MTTs that will travel to
Saudi Arabia. This training for the Royal Saudi Air Force
(RSAF) and other Saudi forces will include such subjects as
civilian casualty avoidance, the law of armed conflict, human
rights command and control, and targeting via MTTs and/or
broader Programs of Instruction (POIs). Program management,
trainers, simulators, travel, billeting, and medical support
may also be included.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force.
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FMS Case NFS--$44M, FMS
Case NFT--$48M, FMS Case NFU--$82M, FMS Case TGP--$53M, FMS
Case THB--$93M, FMS Case THD--$73M, FMS Case THE--$69M, FMS
Case THF--$39M, FMS Case THG--$93M.
(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: June 2, 2017.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
[[Page S3241]]
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Saudi Arabia--Blanket Order Training
The Government of Saudi Arabia requested a possible sale of
continued blanket order training program inside and outside
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that includes, but is not
limited to, flight training, technical training, professional
military education, specialized training, mobile training
teams (MTTs), and English language training. These blanket
order training cases cover all relevant types of training
offered by or contracted through the U.S. Air Force or
Department of Defense (DoD) Agencies, to include
participation in CONUS DOD-sponsored education, as well as
MTTs that will travel to Saudi Arabia. This training for the
Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and other Saudi forces will
include such subjects as civilian casualty avoidance, the law
of armed conflict, human rights command and control, and
targeting via MTTs and/or broader Programs of Instruction
(POIs). Program management, trainers, simulators, travel,
billeting, and medical support may also be included. The
estimated program cost is $750 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the security of an important partner which has been
and continues to be a leading contributor of political
stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
This training would support the United States' continued
commitment to Saudi Arabia's security and strengthen the
U.S.-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership. Assisting the RSAF
supports Saudi Arabia in deterring hostile actions and
increases U.S.-Saudi Arabia military interoperability. It
also helps their ability to work with coalition partners
during training, exercises, and operations. Saudi Arabia will
have no difficulty absorbing this training and support.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale. All defense articles/
services have been approved for release.
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