[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 67 (Monday, April 25, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2124-S2125]
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. 22-03,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Argentina for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $73 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.
[[Page S2125]]
Enclosures:
Transmittal No. 22-03
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 Argentina.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
Other $73 million.
Total $73 million
Funding Source: National Funds
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE: Follow-on sustainment and support of their T-6
Texan aircraft fleet, to include the following aircraft
hardware and software modifications and support: major and
minor modifications include airframe and avionics
improvements for reliability and integration of training
munitions and external fuel tanks; aircraft and engine
support equipment, components, consumables, spare parts and
repair/return; publications and technical documentation;
heavy maintenance support; other U.S. Government and
contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support
services, and related elements of program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (AR-D-QAY).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AR-D-SAI.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None known at this time.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: April 8, 2022.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Argentina--T-6 Aircraft Sustainment
The Government of Argentina has requested to buy follow-on
sustainment and support of their T-6 Texan aircraft fleet, to
include the following aircraft hardware and software
modifications and support: major and minor modifications
include airframe and avionics improvements for reliability
and integration of training munitions and external fuel
tanks; aircraft and engine support equipment, components,
consumables, spare parts and repair/return; publications and
technical documentation; heavy maintenance support; other
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and
logistical support services, and related elements of program
support. The estimated total cost is $73 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 Non-NATO ally that is a
force for political stability and economic progress in South
America. It is in the U.S. national interest to assist
Argentina in developing and maintaining a strong and ready
self-defense capability.
The proposed renewal of T-6 aircraft support will provide
the Government of Argentina with the capability to meet
current and future threats by revitalizing Argentina's
trainer aircraft capabilities and to aid in the overall
development of a professional pilot corps. Argentina is
committed to modernizing its military and will have no
difficulty absorbing the additional sustainment 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 Textron Aviation Defense,
Wichita, KS. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale may require the
assignment of additional U.S. Government and/or U.S.
contractor representatives to Argentina to support program
and financial management reviews.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
____________________