[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 167 (Tuesday, October 17, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6445-S6448]
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 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.
[[Page S6446]]
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. 17-16,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $29 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,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
Enclosures.
transmittal no. 17-16
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* $27 million.
Other $2 million.
Total $29 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two hundred eighteen (218) M1A1 Abrams Tank Hulls with
120mm cannons.
Two hundred eighteen (218) AGT-1500 (M1 Tank Series)
Engines.
Non-MDE: Also includes transportation and other logistics
support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (UXA).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KU-B-JAT, KU-B-UKO, KU-B-
UKN, KU-B-ULB, KU-B-ULX, KU-B-UMK.
(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: October 16, 2017.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
Kuwait--M1A1 Abrams Tanks
The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of
two hundred eighteen (218) M1A1 Abrams tank hulls with 120mm
cannons and two hundred eighteen (218) AGT-1500 (M1 Tank
Series) engines in support of its M1A2 tank recapitalization.
Also included are transportation and other logistics support.
The estimated cost is $29 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 friendly country. 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.
This potential sale is associated with Congressional
Notification 16-66 which was notified to Congress on December
12, 2016, regarding recapitalization of 218 Kuwait M1A2
tanks. Subsequent to the notification, Kuwait requested 218
M1A1 tank hulls from U.S. inventory be provided and upgraded
vice using Kuwait's current fleet of tanks due to its
interest in maintaining operational readiness. Kuwait 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 M1A1 tank hulls will come from U.S. inventory. 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. Government or contractor
representatives to Kuwait.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
transmittal no. 17-16
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. 120mm Gun. The gun is composed of a 120mm smoothbore gun
(cannon) manufactured at Watervliet Arsenal; ``long rod''
Armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS)
warheads; and combustible cartridge case ammunition. There
may be a need to procure/produce new gun cannon tubes from
Watervliet Arsenal. New cannons inducted at Anniston Army
Depot would be inspected according to established criteria
and shipped to Lima Army Tank Plant for the tank upgrade
process. The highest level of information that could be
disclosed through the sale of this end-item is UNCLASSIFIED.
2. AGT-1500 Gas Turbine Propulsion System. The use of a gas
turbine propulsion system in the M1A2 is a unique application
of armored vehicle power pack technology. The hardware is
composed of the AGT-1500 engine and transmission and is not
classified. Manufacturing processes associated with the
production of turbine blades, recuperator, bearings and
shafts, and hydrostatic pump and motor are proprietary and
therefore commercially competition sensitive. The highest
level of information that could be disclosed through the sale
of this end-item is UNCLASSIFIED.
3. All defense articles and services listed on this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Kuwait.
____
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. 17-54,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to Greece for defense articles and services
estimated to cost $2.404 billion. After this letter is
delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to
notify the public of this proposed sale.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 17-54
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 Greece.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $.918 billion.
Other $1.486 billion.
Total $2.404 billion.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of
Greece has requested the possible sale of items and services
to support the upgrade of up to one hundred twenty-three
(123) F-16 aircraft to Block V configuration.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred twenty-five (125) APG-83 Active Electronically
Scanned Array (AESA) Radars (includes 2 spares).
One hundred twenty-three (123) Modular Mission Computers
(MMCs).
One hundred twenty-three (123) LINK-16 Multifunctional
Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System
(MIDS-JTRS) with TACAN and EHSI.
One hundred twenty-three (123) LN260 Embedded Global
Navigation Systems (EGI)-Inertial Navigation System (INS).
One hundred twenty-three (123) Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing
Systems (JHMCS).
One hundred twenty-three (123) Improved Programmable
Display Generators (iPDGs).
Non-MDE: Included in the possible sale are up to one
hundred twenty-three (123) APX-126 Advanced Identification
Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT);
one (1) Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS); one (1) F-16V
Simulator; upgrade to two (2) existing simulators; one (1)
Avionics Level Test Station; Secure Communications,
cryptographic equipment and navigation equipment; upgrade and
integration of the Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suite
(ASPIS) I to ASPIS II on twenty-six (26) F-16s; Ground
Support System, systems integration and test; spares and
repair parts, support and test equipment; personnel training
and training equipment; publications and technical
documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering,
logistical, and technical support services; and other related
elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (SNY Amendment 6).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: GR-D-SBD, $1.3B, 7 Dec
1992; GR-D-SNX, $2B, 9 Mar 2000; GR-D-SNY, $1.9B, 13 Dec
2005.
(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: October 16, 2017.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Government of Greece--Upgrade of F-16 Aircraft to an F-16 Block V
Configuration
The Government of Greece has requested a possible purchase
of an upgrade of its existing F-16 fleet to an F-16 Block V
configuration which includes up to one hundred twenty-five
(125) APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)
Radars (includes two (2) spares); one hundred twenty-three
(123) Modular Mission Computers (MMCs); one hundred twenty-
three (123) LINK-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution
System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) with TACAN and
EHSI; one hundred twenty-three (123) LN260 Embedded Global
Navigation Systems (EGI)-Inertial Navigation System (INS);
one hundred twenty-three (123)
[[Page S6447]]
Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDGs). Also
included in the proposed sale are up to one hundred twenty-
three (123) APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe
(AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT); one (1) Joint
Mission Planning System (JMPS); one (1) F-16V Simulator;
upgrade to two (2) existing simulators; one (1) Avionics
Level Test Station; Secure Communications, cryptographic
equipment and navigation equipment; upgrade and integration
of the Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suite (ASPIS) I to
ASPIS II on twenty-six (26) F-16s; Ground Support System,
systems integration and test; spares and repair parts,
support and test equipment; personnel training and training
equipment; publications and technical documentation; U.S.
Government and contractor engineering, logistical, and
technical support services; and other related elements of
logistics and program support. The total estimated program
cost is $2.404 billion.
This proposed sale will contribute to U.S. foreign policy
and national security objectives by helping to improve the
security of a NATO ally which is an important partner for
political stability and economic progress in Europe. The
upgrade of F-16 aircraft to an F-16 Block V configuration
will bolster the Hellenic Air Force's ability to support NATO
and remain interoperable with the U.S. and the NATO alliance.
It will also help Greece sustain operations in the future,
thereby reducing the threat the alliance's enemies pose to
the U.S. and the alliance.
The proposed sale will improve Greece's capability to meet
current and future security threats. Greece will use this
capability as a deterrent to regional threats, strengthen its
homeland defense, and execute counter-terrorism operations.
Greece currently employs a mix of F-16s in Block 30, Block
50, Block 52+, and Block 52+ Advanced configurations.
Therefore, Greece will have no difficulty absorbing the
upgrade of these aircraft from an operation and support
standpoint.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin of Fort
Worth, TX. There are currently no known offsets. However,
Greece typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will
be defined in negotiations between Greece and the contractor.
The proposed sale will require the assignment of
approximately 3-5 additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Greece.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-54
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 proposed sale for upgrade of Greece's F-16s to Block
V will involve the release of sensitive and/or classified (up
to SECRET) elements to Greece, including hardware,
accessories, components, and associated software. The F-16
Block V aircraft system is UNCLASSIFIED, except as noted
below. The aircraft utilizes the F-16 airframe and features
advanced avionics and systems including the AN/APG-83 Active
Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Modular Mission
Computers (MMCs); LINK-16 Multifunctional Information
Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System LINK-16
Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint
Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS); Advanced Self-Protection
Integrated Suite (ASPIS) II ship-sets; LN260 Embedded Global
Navigation Systems (EGI)-Inertial Navigation System (INS);
Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS II); Improved
Programmable Display Generators (iPDGs); APX-126 Advanced
Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator
Transponder (CIT); and Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS).
2. 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 (up to
SECRET) to protect vulnerabilities, design, and performance
parameters and other similar critical information.
3. The AN/APG-83 is an Active Electronically Scanned Array
(AESA) radar upgrade for the F-16. It includes higher
processor power, higher transmission power, more sensitive
receiver electronics, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR),
which creates higher-resolution ground maps from a greater
distance than existing mechanically scanned array radars
(e.g., APG-68). The upgrade features an increase in detection
range of air targets, increases in processing speed and
memory, as well as significant improvements in all modes. The
highest classification of the radar is SECRET.
4. The Modular Mission Computer (MMC) is the central
aircraft computer of the F-16. It serves as the hub for all
aircraft subsystems and avionics data transfer. The hardware
and software are classified SECRET.
5. The Multifunctional Informational Distribution System-
Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) is classified
CONFIDENTIAL. The MIDS-JTRS is a secure data and voice
communication network using Link-16 architecture. The system
provides enhanced situational awareness, positive
identification of participants within the network, secure
fighter-to-fighter connectivity, secure voice capability, and
ARN-118 TACAN functionality. It provides three major
functions: Air Control, Wide Area Surveillance, and Fighter-
to-Fighter. The MIDS-JTRS can be used to transfer data in
Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface, and Air-to-Ground scenarios. The
MIDS terminal hardware, publications, performance
specifications, operational capability, parameters,
vulnerabilities to countermeasures, and software
documentation are classified CONFIDENTIAL. The classified
information to be provided consists of that which is
necessary for the operation, maintenance, and repair (through
intermediate level) of the data link terminal, installed
systems, and related software.
6. The Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suite II (ASPIS
II) is an enhanced version of the original ASPIS I integrated
Electronic Warfare (EW) system, which provides passive radar
warning, wide spectrum Radio Frequency (RF) jamming, and
control and management of the entire EW system. It is an
externally mounted EW pod. The suite includes an ALQ-187 EW
System, ALR-93 Radar Warning Receiver, and ALE-47
Countermeasure Dispenser System. Greece has upgraded ASPIS I
to II on all but a remaining twenty-six jets. The
commercially developed system software and hardware are
UNCLASSIFED. The system is classified SECRET when loaded with
a U.S. derived EW database.
7. The Embedded Global Positioning System (EGI)--Inertial
Navigation System (INS)/LN-260 is a sensor that combines
Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial sensor inputs to
provide accurate location information for navigation and
targeting. The EGI-INS/LN-260 is UNCLASSIFIED. The GPS
cryptovariable keys needed for highest GPS accuracy are
classified up to SECRET.
8. The Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a
modified HGU-55/P helmet that incorporates a visor-projected
Heads-Up Display (HUD) to cue weapons and aircraft sensors to
air and ground targets. In close combat, a pilot must
currently align the aircraft to shoot at a target. JHMCS
allows the pilot to simply look at a target to shoot. This
system projects visual targeting and aircraft performance
information on the back of the helmet's visor, enabling the
pilot to monitor this information without interrupting his
field of view through the cockpit canopy. The system uses a
magnetic transmitter unit fixed to the pilot's seat and a
magnetic field probe mounted on the helmet to define helmet
pointing positioning. A Helmet Vehicle Interface (HVI)
interacts with the aircraft system bus to provide signal
generation for the helmet display. This provides significant
improvement for close combat targeting and engagement.
Hardware is UNCLASSIFIED; technical data and documents are
classified up to SECRET.
9. The Improved Programmable Display Generator (iPDG) and
color multifunction displays utilize ruggedized commercial
liquid crystal display technology that is designed to
withstand the harsh environment found in modern fighter
cockpits. The display generator is the fifth generation
graphics processor for the F-16. Through the use of state-of-
the-art microprocessors and graphics engines, it provides
orders of magnitude increases in throughput, memory, and
graphics capabilities. The hardware and software are
UNCLASSIFIED.
10. The AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe
(AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT) is a system
capable of transmitting and interrogating Mode V. It is
UNCLASSIFIED unless/until Mode IV and/or Mode V operational
evaluator parameters are loaded into the equipment. Elements
of the IFF system classified up to SECRET include software
object code, operating characteristics, parameters, and
technical data. Mode IV and Mode V anti-jam performance
specifications/data, software source code, algorithms, and
tempest plans or reports will not be offered, released,
discussed, or demonstrated.
11. The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) is a multi-
platform PC based mission planning system. JMPS hardware is
UNCLASSIFIED and the software is classified up to SECRET.
12. Software, hardware, and other data/information, 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
systems on a case-by-case basis.
13. If a technologically advanced adversary obtains
knowledge of the specific hardware and software source code
in this proposed sale, the information could be used to
develop countermeasures or equivalent systems that might
reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
14. Greece is both willing and able to protect U.S.
classified military information. Greek physical and document
security standards are equivalent to U.S. standards. Greece
has signed a General Security of Military Information
Agreement (GSOMIA) with the United States and is in
negotiations with CENTCOM on the Communications
Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement
(CISMOA). The Government of
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Greece has demonstrated its willingness and capability to
protect sensitive military technology and information
released to its military in the past.
15. A determination has been made that the Greece can
provide substantially the same degree of protection for the
sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government.
This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign
policy and national security objectives outlined in the
Policy Justification.
16. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Greece.
____________________