[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5438-S5439]
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. 20-54 
     concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Japan for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $63 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,
                                                   Heidi H. Grant,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 20-54

     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 * $60 million.
       Other $3 million.
       Total $63 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Thirty-two (32) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air 
     Missiles (AMRAAM).
       One (1) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Section (spare).
       Non-MDE: Also included are containers, support and support 
     equipment, spare and repair parts, U.S. Government and 
     contractor engineering, technical and logistical support 
     services, and other related elements of logistical and 
     program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Air Force (JA-D-YAU).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: JA-D-YCM, JA-D-YAO, JA-D-
     YAK, JA-D-YAI, JA-YAH.
       (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: August 26, 2020.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

  Japan--AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)

       The Government of Japan has requested to buy thirty-two 
     (32) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM and one (1) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance 
     section spare. Also included are containers, support and 
     support equipment, spare and repair parts, U.S. Government 
     and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support 
     services, and other related elements of logistical and 
     program support. The estimated total cost is $63 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 
     and national security objectives of the United States by 
     improving the security of a major ally that is a force for 
     political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific 
     region. It is vital to U.S. national interest to assist Japan 
     in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-
     defense capability.
       The proposed sale of missiles will provide Japan a critical 
     air defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese 
     homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan already 
     has AMRAAM in its inventory and will have no difficulty 
     absorbing the additional missiles into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems of 
     Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset arrangements proposed 
     in connection with this potential sale.
       Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment 
     of 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. 20-54

     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 proposed sale will involve the release of sensitive 
     technology to the Government of Japan related to the AIM-
     120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The 
     AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM is a supersonic, air launched, aerial 
     intercept, guided missile featuring digital technology

[[Page S5439]]

     and micro-miniature solid-state electronics. Purchase will 
     include AMRAAM Guidance Section spares. AMRAAM capabilities 
     include look-down/shoot-down, multiple launches against 
     multiple targets, resistance to electronic countermeasures, 
     and interception of high- and low-flying and maneuvering 
     targets. The AIM-120C-8 is a form, fit, function refresh of 
     the AIM-120C-7 and is the next generation to be produced.
       2. The highest level of classification of information 
     included in this potential sale is SECRET.
       3. 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.
       4. A determination has been made that Japan can provide 
     substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
     technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale 
     is necessary in furthering U.S. foreign policy and national 
     security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.
       5. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     Japan.

                          ____________________