[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 110 (Friday, June 28, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. RISCH. 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. 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)(5)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 
     as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 0L-19. This 
     notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the 
     level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in 
     the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 15-26 of April 28, 
     2015.
           Sincerely,
                                                Charles W. Hooper,
                                Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 0L-19

     Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology 
         or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)
       (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Australia.
       (ii) Sec. 36(b)(B)(5)(A) AECA Transmittal No.: 15-26; Date: 
     April 28, 2015; Military Department: Navy.
       (iii) Description: On April 28, 2015, Congress was notified 
     by Congressional certification transmittal number 15-26 of 
     the possible sale under Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act of follow-on sustainment support and services in 
     support of three (3) Hobart Class Destroyers. The sustainment 
     efforts include AEGIS computer software and hardware updates, 
     system integration and testing, tools and test equipment, 
     spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and 
     technical documentation, personnel training and training 
     equipment, aircrew trainer devices upgrades, U.S. Government 
     and contractor technical assistance, and other related 
     elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost 
     was $275 million.
       This transmittal reports Australia's request to purchase 
     upgrade kits for their Multifunctional Information 
     Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (LVT) 
     equipment installed on the Hobart Class Destroyers. The MIDS 
     LVT Block Upgrade 2 (BU2) kits provide a suite of hardware, 
     software and firmware updates for the MIDS LVT units to 
     provide a more robust security and enhanced throughput 
     (higher data rate). The total case value will remain $275 
     million.
       (iv) Significance: This proposed upgrade to the MIDS LVT 
     will contribute to the modernization of the Royal Australian 
     Navy Hobart Class destroyers, improve the Royal Australian 
     Navy's capability to conduct self-defense and regional 
     security missions, and enhance its interoperability with the 
     U.S. and other NATO members.
       (v) Justification: The proposed sale will improve 
     Australia's capability in current and future coalition 
     efforts. Australia will use the enhanced capability as a 
     deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland 
     defense.
       (vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The Multifunctional 
     Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-
     LVT) is an advanced Link-16 command, control, communications, 
     and intelligence (C3I) system incorporating high-capacity, 
     jam-resistant, digital communication links used for exchange 
     of near real-time tactical information, including both data 
     and voice, among air, ground, and sea elements. The 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.
       (vii) Date Delivered to Congress: June 27, 2019.

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