[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 93 (Thursday, May 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3885-S3886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. MENENDEZ. 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. Robert Menendez,
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. 21-43
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Spain for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $110 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. 21-43
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 Spain.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
Other $110 million.
Total $110 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE: Follow on Contractor Logistics Support to include
contractor provided MQ-9A Blk 5 aircraft components, spares,
and accessories; repair and return; software and
[[Page S3886]]
software support services; simulator software; personnel
training and training equipment; publications and technical
documentation; U.S. Government and contractor provided
engineering, technical and logistical support services; and
other related elements of logistical and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (SP-D-QAF).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: SP-D-GAI, SP-D-SAA.
(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: May 24, 2021.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Spain--Follow-on Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for MQ-9A Blk 5
Aircraft
The Government of Spain has requested to buy follow on
Contractor Logistics Support to include contractor provided
MQ-9A Blk 5 aircraft components, spares, and accessories;
repair and return; software and software support services;
simulator software; personnel training and training
equipment; publications and technical documentation; U.S.
Government and contractor provided engineering, technical and
logistical support services; and other related elements of
logistical and program support. The total estimated program
cost is $110 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a NATO ally which is an important
force for political stability and economic progress in
Europe.
This proposed sale will improve Spain's capability to meet
current and future threats by ensuring the operational
readiness of the Royal Spanish Air Force. Spain's MQ-9A
aircraft fleet provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance support that directly supports U.S. and
coalition operations around the world. Spain will have no
difficulty absorbing these support services 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 General Atomics, Palmdale, CA.
There are no known offset agreements 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 Spain.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
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