[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S1789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. RISCH. Madam 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. James E. Risch,
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. 19-12
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $240.5 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. 19-12
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 Australia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $219.6 million.
Other $ 20.9 million.
Total $240.5 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of
Australia has requested to buy defense articles and services
from the U.S. Government in support of the National Advanced
Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS).
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred eight (108) AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
Six (6) AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Air Vehicles Instrumented.
Six (6) Spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Guidance Sections.
Non-MDE: Also included are containers, weapon system
support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey,
transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and
repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance,
personnel training, and training equipment, U.S. Government
and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and
technical support services, and other related elements of
logistics support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (AT-D-YAI).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-D-YLD.
(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 12, 2019.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to 108
AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
(AMRAAM); six (6) AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Air Vehicles
Instrumented; and six (6) spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance
sections. Also included are containers, weapon system support
equipment, support and test equipment, site survey,
transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and
repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance,
personnel training, and training equipment, U.S. Government
and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and
technical support services, and other related elements of
logistics support. These items are in support of Australia's
purchase of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile
System (NASAMS). The estimated total program cost is $240.5
million.
This sale will support the foreign policy and national
security of the United States by helping to improve the
security of a major ally that is an important force for
political stability and economic progress in the Western
Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist
our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready
self-defense capability.
This proposed sale is in support of the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) Project LAND 19 Phase 7B for acquisition of a
ground based air and missile defense capability. Australia
will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its
armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the
basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems,
Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset arrangements
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 Australia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 19-12
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. AIM-120C Advance Medium Range Air-to-Air (AMRAAM) is a
radar guided missile featuring digital technology and micro-
miniature solid-state electronics. AMRAAM capabilities
include look-down/shoot-down, multiple launches against
multiple targets, resistance to electronic counter measures,
and interception of high flying and low flying and
maneuvering targets. AIM-120 Captive Air Training Missiles
are non-functioning, inert missile rounds used for armament
load training, and which also simulates the correct weight
and balance of live missiles during captive carry on training
sorties. The AIM-120C-7, as employed in the National Advanced
Surface-to-Air System (NASAMS), protects national assets from
imminent hostile air threats. The AMRAAM All Up Round is
classified CONFIDENTIAL, major components and subsystems
range from UNCLASSIFIED to CONFIDENTIAL, and technology data
and other documentation are classified up to 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 Australia 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.
4. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Australia.
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