[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 38 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1336-S1337]
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)(I) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 17-79,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Japan for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $45 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,
Gregory M. Kausner,
(For Charles W. Hooper, Lieutenant General, USA, Director).
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 17-79
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 Japan.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $40 million.
Other $5 million.
Total $45 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Twenty-four (24) MK 15 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System
(CIWS) Block IB Baseline 1 to MK 15 Phalanx Block IB Baseline
2 Conversion Kits.
Non-MDE: Also included is support equipment, spare parts,
publications, software and associated support, and logistical
support services, and other related elements of logistical
and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (JA-P-NBE).
(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: March 2, 2018.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Japan--MK 15 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) Block IB Baseline 2
Conversion Kits
The Government of Japan has requested to buy twenty-four
(24) MK 15 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) Block IB
Baseline 1 to MK 15 Phalanx Block IB Baseline 2 conversion
kits. Also included is support equipment, spare parts,
publications, software and associated support, and logistical
support services, and other related elements of logistical
and program support. The estimated total case value is $45
million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by improving the
security of a major ally that has been, and continues to be,
a force for political stability and economic progress in the
Asia-Pacific region.
The proposed sale will improve Japan's capability in
current and future defensive efforts. Japan will use the
enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to
strengthen homeland defense.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems,
Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
permanent assignment of additional U.S. Government or
contractor representatives in Japan.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-79
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 CIWS Block IB Baseline 2 represents an increase in
threat acquisition and firepower accuracy over previous Block
1 Baseline configurations. The Baseline 2 variant includes a
radar improvement upgrade and an electro-optical sensor to
improve weapon system performance against low-observable,
sea-skimming threats, and provides improved capability to
concentrate hard-kill ordnance in a tighter pattern on the
threat. The CIWS mount and spare hardware are UNCLASSIFIED.
The radar improvement/upgrade is the most sensitive portion
of the Baseline 2 configuration.
2. The CIWS Block 1B Baseline 2 systems and upgrade kits
will result in the transfer of a highly accurate close-in
engagement technology and ship self-defense capability. The
equipment, hardware, and the majority of documentation are
UNCLASSIFIED. The embedded software and operational
performance are classified CONFIDENTIAL. The seeker/electro-
optical control section and the target detector are
UNCLASSIFIED, but
[[Page S1337]]
contain a sensitive state-of-the-art technology. Technical
Manuals used to support the operation and provisioning of
organizational-level maintenance are CONFIDENTIAL. The
technical and operational data identified above is classified
to protect vulnerabilities, design and performance
parameters, and similar critical information.
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 Japan 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 in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Japan.
____________________