[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

                                             United States Senate,


                               Committee on Foreign Relations,

                                                   Washington, DC.
       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.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Robert Menendez,
                                                         Chairman.
  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)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 21-67, 
     concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of France for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $300 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,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 21-67

     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 France.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
       Other $300 million.
       Total $300 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-9 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.
       (iv) Military Department: Air Force (FR-D-QAO).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FR-D-STE, FR-D-SAC, FR-D-
     SAD.
       (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: January 7, 2022.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          Policy Justification

          France--MQ-9 Follow-on Contractor Logistics Support

       The Government of France has requested to buy follow-on 
     Contractor Logistics Support to include contractor provided 
     MQ-9 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 estimated total cost is $300 
     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 NATO ally that is an important 
     force for political stability and economic progress in 
     Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve France's capability to meet 
     current and future threats by ensuring the operational 
     readiness of the French Air Force. France's MQ-9 aircraft 
     fleet provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance 
     support that directly supports U.S. and coalition operations 
     around the world. France 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 principal contractor will be General Atomics, Poway, 
     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 France.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.

                          ____________________