[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 22 (Monday, February 5, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S603-S604]
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. 17-76,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Finland for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $622 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. 17-76
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 Finland
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $434 million.
Other $188 million.
Total $622 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred (100) RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II Plus (+)
Extended Range (ER) Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles.
Twelve (12) RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Surface-
Launched Missiles.
Twelve (12) RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Surface-
Launched Upgrade Kits.
Four (4) RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Exercise
Surface-Launched Missiles.
Four (4) RTM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Exercise
Surface-Launched Missiles.
Non-MDE: Also included are containers, spare and repair
parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical
documentation, personnel training and training equipment,
technical assistance, engineering and logistics support
services, and other related elements of logistical support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (FI-P-LBQ).
(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 Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: February 5, 2018.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
Finland--RGM-840-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Surface-Launched
Missiles and RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Surface-Launched
Missiles
The Government of Finland has requested a possible sale of
one hundred (100) RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II Plus (+)
Extended Range (ER) Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles, twelve
(12) RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Surface-Launched
Missiles, twelve (12) RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B
Surface-Launched Upgrade Kits, four (4) RTM-84L-4 Harpoon
Block II Grade B Exercise Surface-Launched Missiles, and four
(4) RTM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Exercise Surface-
Launched Missiles. Also included are containers, spare and
repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and
technical documentation, personnel training and training
equipment, technical assistance, engineering and logistics
support services, and other related elements of logistical
support. The estimated total case value is $622 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a partner nation that has been, and
continues to be, an important force for political stability
and economic progress in Europe.
Finland intends to use the missiles on its Hamina class
ships, Multirole Corvette ships, and Coastal Batteries. The
missiles will provide enhanced capabilities in effective
defense of critical sea lanes. The proposed sale of the
missiles and support will increase the Finnish Navy's
maritime partnership potential and increase regional security
capability. Finland has not purchased Harpoon Block II+ ER
previously, but will have no difficulty incorporating this
capability into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company, St.
Louis, MO. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any
offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the
purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require up to 21
U.S. Government personnel to travel to Finland providing
support over a period of ten years.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-76
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 RGM-84Q Harpoon Block II+ ER Surface-Launched
missile system is classified SECRET. The Harpoon missile is a
non-nuclear tactical weapon system. It provides a day, night,
and adverse weather, standoff air-to-surface capability and
is an effective Anti-Surface Warfare missile. The RGM-84Q
incorporates components, software, and technical design
information that is considered sensitive. The following
components being conveyed by the proposed sale that are
considered sensitive include:
a. Classified CONFIDENTIAL:
(1) Radar Seeker.
(2) GPS/INS System.
(3) Operational Flight Program Software.
(4) Missile operational characteristics and performance
data.
b. Classified up to SECRET:
(1) Weapon Data Link (depending on key classification).
(2) Warhead.
These elements are essential to the ability of the Harpoon
missile to selectively engage hostile targets under a wide
range of operations, tactical and environmental conditions.
The Harpoon is a Coastal Target Suppressions land attack
weapon.
2. The RGM-84L Harpoon Block II Surface-Launched missile
system is classified CONFIDENTIAL. The Harpoon missile is a
non-nuclear tactical weapon system currently in service in
the U.S. Navy and in 29 other foreign nations. It provides a
day, night, and adverse weather, standoff air-to-surface
capability and is an effective Anti-Surface Warfare missile.
The RGM-84L incorporates components, software, and technical
design information that are considered sensitive. The
following components being conveyed by the proposed sale that
are considered sensitive and are classified CONFIDENTIAL are:
Classified CONFIDENTIAL:
(1) Radar Seeker.
(2) GPS/INS System.
(3) Operational Flight Program Software.
(4) Missile operational characteristics and performance
data.
3. The RTM-84 Exercise Harpoon Surface-Launched missile is
classified up to SECRET. The RTM-84 Exercise Harpoon
incorporates components, software, and technical design
information that are considered sensitive. The following
components being conveyed by the proposed sale that are
considered sensitive include:
a. Classified CONFIDENTIAL:
(1) Radar Seeker.
(2) GPS/INS System.
(3) Operational Flight Program Software.
(4) Missile operational characteristics and performance
data.
b. Classified up to SECRET:
(1) Weapon Data Link (depending on key classification)
4. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of specific hardware, the information could be used
to develop countermeasures which might reduce weapons system
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with
similar or advanced capabilities.
5. A determination has been made that Finland can provide
substantially the same
[[Page S604]]
degree of protection for sensitive technology being released
as the U.S. Government. This proposed sustainment program is
necessary to the furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and
national security objectives outlined in the policy
justification.
6. All defense articles and services listed on this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Finland.
____
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. 17-77,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Finland for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $112.7 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. 17-77
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: Government of Finland.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $92.6 million.
Other $20.1 million.
Total $112.7 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Sixty-eight (68) Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM).
One (1) ESSM inert operational missile.
Non-MDE: Also included are seventeen (17) MK25 quad pack
canisters, eight (8) MK783 shipping containers, spare and
repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and
technical documentation, training, U.S. Government/Contractor
engineering, technical and logistics support services and
technical assistance, and other related elements of
logistical support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (FI-P-LBP).
(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 Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: February 5, 2018.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Finland--Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM)
The Government of Finland has requested a possible sale of
sixty-eight (68) Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM) and one
(1) ESSM inert operational missile. Also included are
seventeen (17) MK25 quad pack canisters, eight (8) MK783
shipping containers, spare and repair parts, support and test
equipment, publications and technical documentation,
training, U.S. Government/Contractor engineering, technical
and logistics support services and technical assistance, and
other related elements of logistical support. The estimated
total case value is $112.7 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a partner nation that has been, and
continues to be, an important force for political stability
and economic progress in Europe.
Finland intends to use the missiles on its new Squadron
2020 class Corvette ships. The missiles will provide enhanced
capabilities in effective defense of critical sea lanes and
improve Finland's capability to meet current and future
threats of enemy anti-ship weapons. Finland has not purchased
ESSM previously, but will have no difficulty incorporating
this capability into its naval forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems
(RMS) Tucson, AZ, for the missiles, and BAE Systems,
Aberdeen, SD, for the missile canisters. The purchaser
typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be
defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the
contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require up to 12
U.S. Government personnel to travel to Finland providing
support over a period of five years.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-77
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 Evolved SEASPARROW missiles (ESSM) includes the
guidance section, warhead section, transition section,
propulsion section, control section, and Thrust Vector
Control (TVC) of which the guidance section and transition
section are classified CONFIDENTIAL. Standard missile
documentation will include:
a. Parametric documents (classified CONFIDENTIAL).
b. Missile Handling/Maintenance Procedures (UNCLASSIFIED).
c. General Performance Data (classified CONFIDENTIAL).
d. Firing Guidance (classified CONFIDENTIAL).
e. Dynamics Information (classified CONFIDENTIAL).
2. The Evolved SEASPARROW Missile (ESSM) contains SENSITIVE
technological information and/or RESTRICTED information in
the missile guidance section. Certain operating frequencies
and performance characteristics are classified SECRET because
they could be used to develop tactics and/or countermeasures
to reduce or defeat the missile effectiveness.
3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of specific hardware, the information could be used
to develop countermeasures which might reduce weapons system
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with
similar or advanced capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that Finland can provide
substantially the same degree of protection for sensitive
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This
proposed sustainment program is necessary to the furtherance
of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives
outlined in the policy justification.
5. All defense articles and services listed on this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Finland.
____________________