[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 128 (Monday, July 30, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5447-S5449]
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:


[[Page S5448]]


                                                  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. 18-15, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Bahrain for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $80 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. 18-15

     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 Bahrain.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $49 million.
       Other $31 million.
       Total $80 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Twenty-eight (28) TOW Improved Target Acquisition Systems 
     (ITAS).
       Four (4) TOW Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) 
     Floats.
       Non-MDE: Also included is support equipment, government-
     furnished equipment, technical manuals/publications, spare 
     parts, tool and test equipment, training, U.S. Government 
     technical support/logistical support, contractor technical 
     support, other associated equipment and services, and other 
     related elements of logistics support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (BA-B-UKJ).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: BA-B-UKE.
       (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: July 30, 2018.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          policy justification

      Bahrain--Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) Launchers

       The Government of Bahrain has requested to buy twenty-eight 
     (28) TOW Improved Target Acquisition Systems (ITAS) and four 
     (4) TOW Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) Floats. 
     Also included are support equipment, government-furnished 
     equipment, technical manuals/publications, spare parts, tool 
     and test equipment, training, U.S. Government technical 
     support/logistical support, contractor technical support, 
     other associated equipment and services, and other related 
     elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $80 
     million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security objectives of the United States by helping 
     to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally which is an 
     important security partner in the region.
       The proposed sale of the TOW ITAS and technical support 
     will advance Bahrain's efforts to develop an integrated 
     ground defense capability. The ITAS will increase target 
     detection, acquisition, recognition and engagements ranges 
     for TOW anti-tank missiles. Bahrain will have no difficulty 
     absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of the munition and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       The principal contractor involved in this program is 
     Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) of McKinney, Texas. There are 
     no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this 
     potential sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will involve multiple 
     trips to Bahrain involving up to ten (10) U.S. Government and 
     contractor representatives over a period of less than 16 
     weeks in total.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 18-15

     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. This sale will involve the release of sensitive 
     technology to Bahrain. The Improved Target Acquisition System 
     (ITAS) is designed to fire all existing versions of the TOW 
     missile and consists of a Target Acquisition Subsystem (TAS), 
     a Fire Control Subsystem (FCS), a Li-Ion Battery Box (LBB), a 
     modified Traversing Unit (TU) plus the standard launch tube 
     and tripod. The ITAS provides for the integration of both the 
     direct view optics and a second generation Standard Advanced 
     Dewar Assembly (SADA) II thermal sensor into a single 
     housing; direct view optics that provide viewing the target 
     scene in daylight and non-obscured conditions; introduction 
     of both passive and active eye safe laser-ranging; 
     development of embedded training and training sustainment; 
     automatic bore sight which allows the gunner to align the 
     night vision system with the direct view optics; insertion of 
     advanced Built-in Test/Built-in Test Equipment (BIT/BITE) 
     which provides fault detection and recognition and go/no go 
     status for the gunner; and an Aided Target Tracker (ATT) that 
     provides the capability to process infrared imagery into 
     recognizable contour features used to assist the gunner's aim 
     point. The highest level of information that could be 
     disclosed through the sale of ITAS is SECRET.
       2. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain 
     knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the 
     information could be used to develop countermeasures that 
     might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the 
     development of a system with similar or advanced 
     capabilities.
       3. A determination has been made that Bahrain can provide 
     substantially the same degree of protection of this 
     technology as the U.S. Government. This proposed sale is 
     necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and 
     national security objectives outlined in the Policy 
     Justification. Moreover, the benefits to be derived from this 
     sale, as outlined in the Policy Justification, outweigh the 
     potential damage that could result if the sensitive 
     technology were revealed to unauthorized persons.
       4. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal are authorized for release and export to the 
     Government of Bahrain.
                                  ____

                                                  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. 18-11, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $30.4 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. 18-11

     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* $27.2 million.
       Other $3.2 million.
       Total $30.4 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Three hundred (300) AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles.
       One (1) Warhead Section Assembly.
       One (1) Rocket Motor.
       Non-MDE: Also included in the sale are missile containers, 
     nineteen (19) M261 2.75 tube rocket launchers, spare and 
     repair parts, repair tools, personnel training, U.S. 
     Government and contractor engineering, technical and 
     logistical support services and other related elements of 
     logistical and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (KU-B-UBN).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KU-B-UMA--$38 million--5 
     Feb 2013.
       (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: July 30, 2018.
       *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

                   Kuwait--AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles

       The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy three hundred 
     (300) AGM-1I4R Hellfire missiles, one (1) Warhead Section 
     Assembly and one (1) Rocket Motor. Also included in the sale 
     are missile containers, nineteen (19) M261 2.75 tube rocket 
     launchers, spare and repair parts, repair tools, personnel 
     training, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, 
     technical and logistical support services and other related 
     elements of logistical and program support. The estimated 
     cost is $30.4 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security objectives of the United States by helping 
     to improve the security of a regional partner that is an 
     important force for political stability and economic 
     progress.
       The proposed sale improves Kuwait's capability to meet 
     current and future threats. Kuwait will use the missiles to 
     strengthen its homeland defense. Kuwait currently has the 
     Hellfire missiles in its inventory and will have no 
     difficulty absorbing these additional missiles.
       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 
     Corporation, Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset 
     agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

[[Page S5449]]

       Implementation of this proposed sale will require the 
     assignment of approximately two U.S. Government or contractor 
     representatives to travel to Kuwait for up to two weeks of 
     training.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 18-11

     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. AGM-114R Hellfire. The AGM-114R is used against heavy 
     and light armored targets, thin skinned vehicles, urban 
     structures, bunkers, caves and personnel. The missile is 
     Inertial Measure Unit (IMU) based, with a variable delay 
     fuse, improved safety and reliability. The highest level for 
     release of the AGM-114R is SECRET. Software and firmware 
     documentation (e.g. Data Processing, Software Requirements, 
     Source Code, Algorithms) are not authorized for disclosure. 
     The highest level of classified information that could be 
     disclosed by a proposed sale or by testing of the end item is 
     up to and including SECRET. The highest level that must be 
     disclosed for production, maintenance, or training is up to 
     and including SECRET. Vulnerability data, countermeasures, 
     vulnerability/susceptibility analysis, and threat definitions 
     are classified SECRET or CONFIDENTIAL. Detailed information 
     to include discussions, reports and studies of system 
     capabilities, vulnerabilities and limitations that leads to 
     conclusions on specific tactics or other counter-
     countermeasures (CCM) are not authorized for disclosure. 
     Reverse engineering could reveal SECRET information. Loss or 
     compromise of classified information associated with AGM-114R 
     could lead to development of countermeasures or exploitation 
     of system vulnerabilities by those obtaining the information.
       2. 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 CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET 
     levels. 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.
       3. If a technologically advanced adversary obtained 
     knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the 
     information could be used to develop countermeasures or 
     equivalent systems 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 Kuwait can provide 
     substantially the same degree of protection for the AGM-114R 
     Hellfire Missiles as the U.S. Government. The sale of these 
     missiles to Kuwait is necessary in 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 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. 18-07, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Bahrain for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $70 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. 18-07

     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: The Government of Bahrain.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
       Other $70 million.
       Total $70 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
       Non-MDE: Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for the Royal 
     Bahrain Navy Ship SABHA (FFG-90), formerly the USS Jack 
     Williams (FFG-24), transferred as Excess Defense Article on 
     September 13, 1996. Also includes engineering, technical, and 
     logistics services, documentation, and modification material 
     for U.S. Navy supplied systems and equipment and other 
     related elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (BA-P-GAV, Amendment 12).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: BA-P-GAV.
       (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: July 26, 2018.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Bahrain--Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for the Royal Bahrain Navy 
                        Ship ``SABHA'' (FFG-2S1)

       The Government of Bahrain has requested to buy items and 
     services in support of Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for 
     the Royal Bahrain Navy Ship SABHA (FFG-90), formerly the USS 
     Jack Williams (FFG-24), transferred as Excess Defense Article 
     on September 13, 1996. Also includes engineering, technical, 
     and logistics services, documentation, and modification 
     material for U.S. Navy supplied systems and equipment and 
     other related elements of logistics and program support. The 
     estimated program value is $70 million.
       This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy 
     and national security objectives of the United States by 
     helping to improve the security of a regional partner which 
     is an important security partner in the region.
       Bahrain intends to use this support in order to keep the 
     ship in operational readiness status for coastal defense and 
     security. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing this 
     support into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       There is no prime contractor involved in this proposed 
     sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in 
     connection with this potential sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will require 
     approximately three (3) U.S. Government and six (6) 
     contractor representatives to travel to Bahrain for an 
     extended period for equipment fielding, systems checkout, 
     training and technical and logistics support.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.

                          ____________________